ff*> 


THE  AUTHOR  CONTEMPLATES  THE  "PERILS  OF  THE  PERIOD." 


ERSONALS; 


OK, 


EEILS 


OF     THE 


EKIOD. 


NEW    YORK: 

PRINTED     FOR      THE     AUTHOR. 
1870. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1870,  by 

JOSEPH  HERTFORD, 

la  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for 
the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


AUTHOR'S     DEBUT 


IT  is  an  absurd  notion  with  authors  generally  that  it 
is  essential  with  them  to  apologize  in  the  commence- 
ment of  the  work  they  put  forth  by  asking,  or  rather 
claiming,  an  indulgence  for  any  errors  or  imperfections 
that  may  be  found  in  the  pages  to  which  the  attention 
of  the  reader  is  directed.  Others  there  are  who  as 
often  beg  that  the  critical  public  may  extend  to  them 
such  a  meed  of  leniency  as  will  enable  them  at  some 
future  period  to  stimulate  them  still  further  in  their 
literary  labors,  that  their  sphere  of  usefulness  may  be 
in  some  measure  extended.  It  may  be  proper,  therefore, 
for  me  to  respectfully  ask  that  such  favors  may  be 
grantecl  by  the  indulgent  reader  in  this,  my  first  effort, 
for  in  truth,  I  have  never  written  for  the  Ledger  ;  am 
not  a  minister ;  a  curate's  wife  or  daughter ;  but  simply 
a  plain  matter-of-fact  person,  whose  best  efforts  have 
ever  been  directed  to  point  out  the  evils  and  the  good 
of  this  life ;  ever  remembering  that  our  mission  here 
on  earth  should  be  (as  it  was  intended  by  the  Creator) 
one  of  "  Christian  Charity,  Brotherly  Love,  Eelief,  and 
Truth."  The  object  of  the  author  is,  to  a  great  extent, 


1694493 


IV 


intended  to  propagate  these  moral  principles,  thereby 
pointing  out  to  them,  whose  special  province  it  is  to 
direct  the  minds  of  those  under  their  special  guardian- 
ship and  to  inculcate  into  their  young  hearts  the  lessons 
taught  by  their  own  experience,  and  to  direct  their 
thoughts  in  the  channel  of  virtue  and  morality ;  and 
also  show  them  that,  by  adopting  an  opposite  course, 
they  lessen  themselves  in  the  estimation  of  those  who 
regard  prudence  and  honor  as  the  high  moral  standard 
of  perfection  in  the  female  character.  The  reader  will 
not  for  one  moment  imagine  that  in  offering  the  suc- 
ceeding chapters  to  them,  that  I  will  be  guilty  of  the 
unpardonable  sin  in  giving  real  names  or  places  in  the 
incidents  I  have  related ;  but  the  facts  from  which  the 
subject  is  taken  may  be  relied  upon  as  truthful  and 
correct,  not  with  the  view  of  adding  embarrassment  to 
any,  but  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  evil  tendencies 
of  such  advertisements  as  those  styled  "  Personals" 
Dr.  Johnson  playfully  pushed  away  a  little  girl  who 
had  not  read  the  "Pilgrim's  Progress"  saying  :  "  Then 
I'll  not  give  a  farthing  for  you."  This  was  not 
intended  in  unkindness,  but  would  incite  the  child's 
attention  to  the  book.  Let  me,  therefore,  say  in  the 
same  spirit  of  kindness,  read  this,  my  first  simple 
effort  as  an  author. 

THB  WRITER  MAKES  A  PROPOSITION  TO  AMELIORATE  THE 
CONDITION  OP  FALLEN  WOMEN. 

In  submitting  the  manuscript  pages  of  this  book,  a 
short  time  ago,  to  a  well-known  publisher,  he  predicted 


for  it  a  very  large  sale,  saying :  "  That  such  a  work, 
from  its  moral  tone  and  apparent  truthfulness,  would 
be  read  by  a  large  portion  of  young  persons  of  both 
sexes,  but  more  especially  females,  who,  from  motives 
of  curiosity,  rather  than  a  desire  for  improvement  in 
their  morals,  would  eagerly  peruse  each  page  and 
chapter  to  discover  what  course  this  Miss  or  that  Mrs. 
had  next  taken  in  her  career.  And  again,  on  the  other 
hand,  parents  would  recognize  in  it  such  readable 
matter  as  could  well  be  introduced  into  any  respectable 
family  with  propriety,  because  it  would  caution  young 
ladies  what  they  should  guard  against,  and  what 
undoubtedly  would  be  the  result  of  their  imprudence 
in  disregarding  the  lessons  of  advice  it  contained." 

I  inquired  of  Mr.  H — ,  the  publisher,  if  he  could 
give  me  an  approximate  idea  of  the  number  of 
volumes  their  firm  would  be  likely  to  dispose  of  He 
replied,  "that  he  thought  in  the  neighborhood  of 
10,000  or  15,000  ;  probably  a  much  larger  number." 

This  flattering  recognition  of  my  authorship,  although 
spoken  in  a  tone  of  apparent  siocerity,  I,  however, 
accepted  "  cum  grano  salts." 

I  then  remarked  to  Mr.  H — ,  that  without  question- 
ing his  judgment  or  the  calculations  upon  which  he  had 
based  his  figures,  I  would  make  a  proposition,  viz.: 

That  all  the  net  profit  which  might  be  derived  after 
the  sale  of  five  thousand  copies,  I  would  most  cheer- 
fully give  to  some  such  institution  as  the  House  of  the 
Good  Shepherd,  to  aid  in  the  good  work  over  which 


VI 


the  ladies  of  that  home  so  faithfully  preside;  or,  I 
would  as  cheerfully  join  hands  with  any  philanthropist, 
of  whatever  persuasion,  who  would  contribute  a  like 
amount,  having  for  its  object  the  founding  of  a  home 
of  a  similar  character,  for  the  good  and  reformation  of 
that  class  of  society. 

There  were  many  reasons  that  presented  themselves 
which  it  is  needless  now  to  repeat,  why  I  did  not 
employ  this  enterprising  firm  to  introduce  the  book 
to  the  public,  the  principal  one  being  a  proposition, 
that  they  should  have  the  entire  control  of  the  work, 
copyright,  &c.,  &c.,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  sales,  to 
render  an  account  to  me  of  profit  and  loss.  This 
seeming  to  me  like  the  handle  of  a  pitcher,  all  on 

one   side,   I  of  course  dissented. 

J.  H. 


Personals,  or  Perils  of  the  Period. 


INFLUENCE  OF  THE  PUBLIC  PEESS. 

THE  public  press  can  exert  a  most  powerful  influence 
either  for  good  or  for  evil ;  it  is  a  fulcrum  of  thought 
from  which  we  may  be  directed  to  branch  out  step  by 
step  in  the  advancement  of  civilization,  or  it  may  have 
a  tendency  to  degrade  our  manhood  so  low  as  to  vitiate 
our  intellect  by  creating  a  morbid  appetite  for  such  nov- 
elties as  neither  tend  to  elevate  the  mind  nor  the  heart. 
It  may  be  offered  by  journalists  that  their  pages  are 
open  to  the  public  for  all  legitimate  matter  that  may 
come  within  the  meaning  of  that  term,  and  further,  it 
may  be  advanced,  that  it  is  not  their  province  to  ques- 
tion the  propriety  or  impropriety,  morality  or  immor- 
ality, of  the  subject-matter  handed  to  them  for  publica- 
tion, but  simply  to  regard  it  with  the  one  all-absorbing 
view  or  idea,  "  will  it  pay."  Again,  it  may  be  said,  oh ! 
here  is  some  modern  philanthropist,  who  steps  in,  for- 
sooth, and  directs  especial  attention  to  our  columns,  that 
we  may  be  held  up  to  public  odium  for  having  devoted 
the  first  page  of  our  journal  to  the  heading  of  "  Per- 
sonals ;"  be  it  so.  "Honisoit  qui  mal  y  pen.**."  Yet  had 
those  same  journalists  a  regard  for  the  public  weal,  or  a 


8 

desire  to  elevate  the  condition  of  society,  and  not  de- 
grade the  moral  circle  by  pandering  to  the  tastes  of 
their  patrons  (who  either  being   uneducated  or  their 
sense  of  prudence  had  so  far  forsaken  them  as  to  stoop 
to  the  impropriety  of  replying  to  the  tempting  adver- 
tisements which  appear  from  day  to  day  under  the  head 
of  "  Personals  "),  they  would  divert  their  columns  to  a 
more  legitimate  and  healthful  sphere  of  enterprise.     It 
is  presumed  that  the  proprietors  or  editors  of  such 
journals  referred  to  are  gentlemen  who  are  blessed  with 
happy  families,  or  have  sisters  or  mothers,  and  it  is 
earnestly  hoped  that  this  simple  and  unpretending  vol- 
ume may  be  placed  in  their  hands,  in  order  that  the  les- 
son it  is  intended  to  convey  may  be  read  and  dissemi- 
nated by  them,  and  become,  as  it  were  so  to  speak,  a 
"  household  word."      There  is  another  class  into  whose 
hands  it  is  hoped  that  this  may  fall ;  I  refer  to  brethren  as 
well  in  a  fraternal  sense  as  those,  who  may  have  a  kind 
and  loving  sister  who  may,  by  a  like  kind  and  loving 
affection  from  him,  be  shielded  and  protected  from  the 
evils  arising  from  the  vicious  influence  and  tendency 
of  these  "  Personals."    Let  him  look  in  his  own  pathway 
and  see  the  most  beautiful  flowers  of  God's  creation 
plucked  by  the  hands  of  the  destroyer,  and  cast  aside 
only  when    their    fragrance    is    gone,    and    all    their 
beauties  and  purity  faded  forever.     Yes,  brothers,  you 
can,  by  your  kind  and  loving  counsels,  direct  the  minds 
of  your  dear  sisters  to  higher  and  nobler  aims  ;  elevate 
them  by  your  honorable  example ;  it  is  you,  whose  every- 
day experience  of  the  world  can  point  out  to  them  the 
snares  and  temptations  by  which  they  are  surrounded, 
and  are  thrown  around  their  pure  hearts ;  and  rest  as- 
sured that  the  advice  which  you  may  offer  to  them  in 
that  direction  in  guarding  them  against  such  evils,  will 


9 

not  be  disregarded  by  any  virtuous  mind,  but  will  be 
more  attentively  listened  to  coming  from  you  than 
emanating  from  any  other  source,  for  none  could  so 
well  advance  the  subject  with  more  propriety  except  a 
pastor,  parent,  or  guardian ;  you  will  also  have  the  pleas- 
ing reflection  in  after  life,  when  perhaps  you  may  be 
surrounded  by  a  happy  family  of  your  own,  of  know- 
ing that  you  had  aided  in  directing  the  path  of  those 
who,  by  the  influence  you  exerted,  were  then  leading  a 
well-spent  life  through  the  advice  and  effects  of  the 
lessons  so  taught  by  you. 

A  public  journalist  makes  the  following  remarks  in 
one  of  his  editions  ,  yet  the  scathing  rebuke  seems  but 
to  add  new  power  to  their  pen,  and  the  rate  is  increased 
from  forty  cents  per  line  of  nine  words  to  seventy-five 
cents  per  line.  This  may  be  cited  as  an  additional  evi- 
dence, if  any  were  wanting,  to  show  the  pernicious  in- 
fluence they  exert  on  the  minds  of  young  persons. 

"  Almost  everything  useful  is  liable  to  be  made  an  instrument 
of  evil  by  unscrupulous  persons.  The  advertising  columns  of  a 
leading  newspaper  are  a  striking  illustration  of  this  truism.  They 
are  invaluable  as  media  of  communication  between  business  men 
and  the  public,  but  they  also  serve  the  purposes  of  charlatans, 
sharpers,  profligates,  and  indeed  of  scoundrels  of  every  phase 
and  type.  Body  and  soul  are  poisoned  through  their  agency — 
the  one  by  plausible  recommendations  of  pernicious  philters,  pur- 
porting to  cure  all  diseases  that  flesh  is  heir  to ;  the  other  by 
lures  thrown  out  and  traps  ingeniously  set  by  debauchees  and 
the  panders  of  debauchery.  Thieves  and  other  villains  safely 
correspond  through  the  advertising  department  of  a  metropolitan 
journal,  and  make  occult  arrangements  for  the  perpetration  of 
crime  and  the  division  of  plunder.  The  police  are  aware  of  the 
fact,  but  are  seldom  able  to  pierce  the  meaning  of  the  mysterious 
and  seemingly  senseless  jargon  in  which  rascals  thus  carry  on 
their  secret  intercourse  under  the  very  noses  of  the  public.  Some- 
times our  detectives  discover  the  key  to  a  communication  of 


10 

this  nature ;  but  no  sooner  is  one  species  of  cipher  "  blown 
upon  '*  then  another  is  invented,  and  justice  is  again  baffled  and 
left  in  the  dark.  That  the  publishers  of  advertising  newspapers 
ought  to  exercise  a  sharper  moral  supervision  over  their  busi- 
ness columns  than  they  appear  to  think  it  necessary  to  do,  is  felt 
by  every  good  citizen.  There  is  a  class  of  advertisements  the 
animus  of  which  is  unmistakable.  We  refer  to  certain  insidious 
and  villainous  little  paragraphs  which  are  conspicuously  parad- 
ed under  the  head  of  "  Personal."  Society  knows  what  they 
mean.  There  is  not  a  boy  or  girl  of  sixteen  years  of  age  who 
is  not  aware  of  their  object  and  intent,  and  of  course  publishers 
and  editors  understand  them  perfectly.  They  do  infinite  mis- 
chief; are  a  disgrace  to  Christian  civilization,  and  a  foul  outrage 
upon  public  decency.  They  foster  pruriency  and  promote  de- 
moralization. Immoral  books  can  be  suppressed  by  law,  why 
should  indecent  advertisements  be  tolerated?  The  profligate 
volume  is  read  by  comparatively  few,  but  the  more  directly  per- 
nicious invitation  to  vice  in  a  two  or  three  line  "  Personal "  is 
seen  by  everybody.  It  goes  where  Byron  says  his  publishers 
informed  him  that  certain  cantos  of  his  Don  Juan  could  never 
go — into  families.  Thousands  of  young  women  read  it,  and  we 
are  sorry  to  say  that  the  "  Personal  column  "  is  a  part  of  the 
paper  which  seems  to  have  a  peculiar  interest  for  many  of  them. 
Nay,  more  ;  hundreds  of  young  girls  thoughtlessly  make  use  of 
tlie  facilities  it  affords  to  have  a  "  bit  of  fun,"  as  they  phrase  it. 
Such  fun  is  dangerous.  It  is  impossible  to  touch  pitch  without 
being  more  or  less  defiled. 

"  A  journalist  occupies  a  most  responsible  position.  He  is,  or 
ought  to  be,  a  conservator  of  public  morals,  and  when,  either 
through  carelessness  or  design,  he  permits  his  sheet  to  play  the 
part  of  a  vicious  go-between  and  a  tempter,  he  brings  his  pro- 
fession and  the  press  to  shame." 

And  still  another,  in  even  stronger  language  says : 

"And  it  is  to  be  desired  that  the  law  may  reach  that  notorious 
public  assignation-house,  the  "  Personal "  column  of  a  nameless 
and  shameless  daily  journal — a  column  specially  set  apart  for  the 
use  of  lewd  villains  who  insult  school-girls  in  the  street,  and  fol- 
low married  women  to  their  doors,  nay,  even  into  their  homes, 
by  means  of  this  scandalous  '  Personal  advertising." 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  NEW  YORK  POST-OFFICE — THE  SCEITES  PRESENTED  THERB 
DAILY — THE  AMERICAN  GOLGOTHA —BOXES  AND  BILLET 
Dora. 

To  the  stranger  who  has  never  visited  this  vast 
metropolitan  city,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  give 
a  brief  description  of  the  above  institution.  Unlike 
similar  places  in  other  cities  of  less  magnitude,  it  is  situ- 
ated in  a  narrow,  confined  street,  called  Nassau  Street, 
near  the  great  moneyed  centre  of  America,  Wall  Street 
In  former  times  it  was  used  as  a  meeting-house,  but  for 
years  past  has  served  the  community  and  the  govern- 
ment in  the  capacity  of  a  post-office.  Anxious  crowds 
are  seen  from  the  hour  of  opening  in  the  morning  un- 
til its  close  at  night;  all  nationalities  mingling  in  the 
throng,  each  finding  partial  ingress  and  egress  through 
its  narrow  doors,  and  as  anxiously  making  the  usual 
inquiry  for  some  brief  response  in  the  form  of  a  letter, 
perhaps  from  some  loved  sister,  brother,  or  nearer  rela- 
tive. This  interesting  building,  although  inconveniently 
situated,  affords  partial  accommodation  to  the  stranger 
lady  or  gentleman,  and  also  to  the  commercial  com- 
munity. The  former  are  attended  at  separate  windows 
and  corridors,  and  the  latter  are  provided  with  boxes 
or  compartments  for  better  security  as  well  as  conveni- 


12 

ence,  for  which  a  yearly  rental  of  $12.00  per  annum 
is  exacted,  returning  a  handsome  revenue  to  the  :rov- 
ernment  The  clerks  are  gentlemanly  and  polite  to 
all,  and  such  is  the  precision  and  accuracy  with  which 
business  at  this  establishment  is  conducted,  that  no  un- 
necessary delay  is  occasioned,  and  fewer  mistakes  occur 
in  this  office  than  any  other  in  the  country,  when,  taking 
into  consideration  the  daily  distribution  of  tons  weight 
of  mail  matter  passing  through  the  hands  of  the  em- 
ployees, directed  to  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  It  is  often 
made  a  channel  of  communication  by  those  who  per- 
vert the  legitimate  course  of  its  usefulness  to  subserve 
some  base  purpose ;  but  by  a  recent  wise  enactment  of 
the  post-office  department  it  has  been  adopted  that  all 
such  mail  matter  as  may  come  within  the  portals  of 
the  office,  of  that  character,  is  considered  (to  use  a 
war  expression)  "contraband,"  and  is  at  once  con- 
signed to  the  chirographical  morgue — the  dead  letter 
office  at  Washington,  where  it  is  destroyed.  This  sys- 
tem being  adopted,  it  becomes  necessary  for  those  re- 
sorting to  such  a  course  to  have  their  communications 
addressed  to  the  office  of  some  journal ;  hence  we 
find  in  almost  all  newspaper  offices  a  division  set  apart 
for  that  purpose,  where  replies  may  be  obtained  to  ad- 
vertisements inserted  in  their  columns,  whether  for 
good  or  for  evil  purposes. 

The  government,  seeing  the  urgent  necessity  of  meet- 
ing the  growing  wants  of  this  great  commercial  com- 
munity here,  wisely  resolved  to  erect  a  suitable  edifice 
that  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  not  only  an  ornament  to  the 
most  conspicuous  part  of  the  city,  from  its  beautiful 
architectural  design,  but  also  afford  the  accommodation 
the  public  so  greatly  needed.  The  wealth  and  com- 
merce of  the  nation  demand  all  the  facilities  that  can 


13 

be  afforded  to  further  the  cause  of  progress  and  civiliza- 
tion. 

In  the  report  of  the  late  Post-Master  General  (Ran- 
dall) to  Congress,  he  incidentally  refers  to  the  present 
inconvenient  building,  and  gives  the  following  facts 
and  figures  to  show  how  near-sighted  our  government 
has  been  in  adopting  the  "penny  wise  and  pound 
foolish  "  system  so  long,  that  he  has  succeeded  in  con- 
vincing our  law-makers  of  the  unsoundness  of  their 
policy  in  this  one  particular  at  least.  He  says  : 

"  I  must  again  urge  that  steps  be  immediately  taken  to  erect 
a  suitable  post-office  in  the  city  of  New  York.  A  most  eligible 
site  has  been  purchased  there  for  this  purpose.  The  necessities 
of  the  public  service  demand  that  there  shall  be  no  further  delay 
in  this  case.  The  building  now  occupied  for  a  post-office  is 
what  is  left  of  an  old  church.  It  is  patched  and  battered,  full  of 
dark  corners  and  discomforts.  The  sunlight  can  scarcely  pene- 
trate its  gloomy  interior.  Gas  is  burnt  there  day  and  night,  and 
men  work  by  it.  It  is  over  an  old  grave-yard,  and  under  its  rotten 
floors  lie  skulls  and  bones,  and  the  damp  mold  of  dead  men. 
On  removing  the  floors  for  repairs  a  short  time  ago,  these  un- 
wholsome  sights  were  exposed  to  view.  The  building  is  unfit 
for  any  use  whatever ;  yet  there,  in  summer  and  winter,  in  heat  and 
cold,  by  gaslight  from  night  until  morning,  and  from  morning 
until  night,  300  men  are  at  work  for  the  people  of  the  whole 
United  States,  and  inhaling  a  poisoned  atmosphere  every  breath 
they  draw.  It  is  a  disgrace  to  the  city  of  New  York  and  a 
disgrace  to  the  nation.  An  average  of  nearly  thirty  men  are 
sick  all  the  time  from  laboring  in  that  unwholesome  place. 

"  The  post-office  department  pays  every  year  for  extra  help  on 
account  of  it  a  sum  equal  to  interest  on  half  a  million  of  dollars. 
It  is  not  always  that  a  commercial  and  moneyed  centre  of  a 
nation  is  the  same.  But  the  city  of  New  York  is  both  the  mon- 
eyed centre  and  commercial  centre  of  the  Western  Hemisphere. 
In  fifty  years  it  may  be  the  moneyed  centre  and  commercial 
centre  of  the  world.  In  less  that  20  years  the  city  will  contain 
a  population  of  at  least  3,000,000  of  people,  a  population  equal 


14 

to  that  of  all  the  colonies  at  the  date  of  the  Revolution.  It  is 
time  now  to  begin  to  do  something  to  meet  its  growing  neces- 
sities. The  post-office  building  is  unsafe.  It  is  liable  at  any- 
time to  burn  down,  and  scarcely  a  day  passes  but  there  goes 
through  that  office  in  money  drafts  and  securities,  from  $10,000- 
000  to  $30,000,000  in  value.  To  erect  suitable  public  buildings 
there  is  the  nation's  work,  and  the  nation's  representatives  ought 
to  attend  to  it. 


CHAPTER  H. 

AN  INCIDENT  AT  THE  WICKET — FINDING  A  LOVE  LETTER— JTJAL 
AMEGIO'S  ADVERTISEMENT  IN  THE  HERALD. 

As  I  entered  the  post-office  referred  to  (in  the  last 
chapter)  one  morning  in  the  fall  of  1866,  my  attention 
was  directed  to  a  young  man  of  very  uncouth  appear- 
ance, coming  from  the  stranger's  window  with  a  large 
bundle  of  letters — so  many,  that  his  two  hands  could 
not  quite  hold  them — and  in  his  well-directed  efforts  to 
more  securely  grasp  them  in  his  palms,  he  allowed  one 
of  them  to  slip  on  to  the  floor  or  passage  way.  As  I 
happened  in  such  close  proximity  to  him,  and  with  the 
intention  of  relieving  his  temporary  embarrassment,  I 
stooped  and  picked  up  the  interesting  missive;  but 
while  I  was  in  the  act  of  so  doing  he  seemed  anxious 
to  hasten  away,  and  muttered  to  me  something  to  the 
effect,  "  that  I  might  retain  it." 

The  singularity  of  the  remark  and  the  unusual  cir- 
cumstance, created  my  surprise,  and  I  went  forward  to 
the  window  from  which  the  person  just  a  moment 
before  had  come  with  the  letters,  and  stated  the  occur- 
rence to  the  clerk  (who  knew  me),  and  offered  to  him 
the  letter,  at  the  same  time  stating  what  I  had  fancied 
the  person  remarked  to  me,  when  I  had  stooped  to  aid 
nim  in  its  recovery — "that  I  might  keep  it"  The 


16 

clerk  also  advised  me  to  do  so,  saying  that  "he  pre- 
sumed the  person  meant  what  I  had  told  him  that  he 
had  said,"  at  the  same  time  remarking  that  they  were 
only  replies  to  advertisements,  and  were,  for  the  most 
part,  written  for  amusement  ;  and  that  if  I  was  so 
inclined,  1  might  have  a  little  pastime  as  well  in  that 
way  as  in  any  other.  So  I  came  to  the  same  conclu 
sion,  and  in  his  presence  I  opened  the  letter.  I  was  at 
once  struck  with  the  apparent  sincerity  and  style  of  the 
writer,  such  was  the  character  of  the  language  em- 
ployed, and  the  force  of  reasoning  embodied  in  every 
line  of  the  note,  wherein  excuse  was  offered,  for  under- 
taking the  step  she  had  taken  (for  the  letter  was  from 
a  lady)  in  thus  addressing  a  stranger,  although  a  ficti- 
tious name  and  address  were  given,  that  I  felt  an  irresist- 
ible impulse,  first  to  find  the  advertisement  to  which 
it  referred,  and  next  to  (if  possible)  make  the  acquaint- 
ance of  the  lady.  With  that  view  I  hastened  to  pur- 
chase the  Herald,  where  I  found  the  following : 

A  young  gentleman  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  a  lover  of 
fun,  would  like  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  a  limited  number 
of  young  ladies,  who  would  be  willing  to  exchange  photographs  ; 
object,  amusement  and  perhaps  matrimony. 

Address,  JUAL  AMEGIO, 

Post-office,  New  York. 

Here  was  a  theme  for  reflection ;  could  any  young 
lady  so  far  forget  her  dignity  as  to  answer  such  a  pro- 
duction as  the  above  ?  was  the  question  I  inquired  of 
myself;  and  how  gladly  did  I  thank  myself  for  being 
the  lucky  possessor  of  the  missive  which  I  had  picked 
up,  and  which  was  worthy  of  falling  into  better  hands 
than  those  of  Jual  Amegio,  who  certainly  had  more  the 
appearance  of  serving  at  a  counter  in  some  neigh- 


17 

boring  shambles,  than  one  who  could  make  the  ac- 
quaintance of  a  lady  of  talent,  such  as  the  one  referred 
to,  and  to  whom  I  had  the  pleasure  of  restoring  that 
same  missive,  with  its  accompanying  lessons  and  ex- 
planation, on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson.  Yet  my  curi- 
osity was  further  aroused,  and  having  the  force  of  bad 
example  for  my  tutor,  I  was  tempted  to  follow  in  the 
footsteps  of  my  predecessor,  and  pen  such  an  adver- 
tisement as  would  call  forth  at  least  some  other  evi- 
dence that  there  were  other  ladies  who  might  be  as 
easily  induced  to  reply  to  an  advertisement  from  my 
pen,  as  from  one  who  had  evidently  assumed  a  Spanish 
name  for  the  purpose  of  attracting  ;  or  rather  dissem- 
bling his  true  character. 

About  that  time  there  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the 
Waverly  Magazine  (a  journal  devoted  to  literary 
thought  of  a  higher  order,  published  and  edited  by 
Moses  A.  Dow,  Esq.,  Boston),  an  allusion  to  this  char- 
acter of  advertisments,  from  the  pen  of  the  editor,  which 
ran  thus,  and  which  still  appears  in  its  columns  in 
every  issue : 

<;  Being  assured  by  some  of  our  correspondents  that  there  is  no 
objection  expressed  about  these  notices,  and  being  convinced  that 
most  all  are  from  those  who  wish  only  to  relieve  the  monotony 
of  daily  life,  we  have  concluded  to  insert  them  for  the  present. 
We  particularly  caution  the  young  of  both  sexes  not  to  write 
anything  they  are  not  willing  every  body  should  read,  for  they 
may  regret  it  it  they  do ;  they  are  only  intended  for  amusement 
for  the  time  being,  and  no  one  should  look  upon  them  in  any 
other  light." 

There  is  hardly  a  better  way  of  understanding  man- 
kind, than  that  of  narrowly  examining  our  own  hearts. 
Whatever  we  observe  in  others,  we  have  the  germ  of  it 


18 

in  ourselves.  I  accordingly  wrote  my  personal,  and 
enclosed  $2.00  for  its  insertion  in  the  Waverly — and 
which  appeared  after  a  lapse  of  two  or  three  weeks. 


CHAPTER  in. 

THE  AUTHOR'S  APPEAL  FOB  INTERCHANGE  OF  THOUGHT — Miss 
LOTTIE  E.  LATROBE — WHISPERS  FROM  THE  CATSKILLS. 

A  lady  of  moral  and  intellectual  culture,  desirous  of  passing 
the  evenings  of  the  coming  fall  and  winter  in  a  pleasant  inter- 
change of  thought  on  any  subject  (matrimony  not  excepted), 
will  find  in  the  advertiser  a  gentleman  of  undoubted  respecta- 
bility, and  willing  to  furnish  parent  or  guardian  the  best  evi- 
dence of  his  honorable  motives  and  social  position. 

Address,  J.  H.  DAVENPORT, 

Post-office  Box  6825,  New  York. 

The  reader  will  very  naturally  say,  here  is  also  a 
theme  for  reflection ;  and  so  it  was,  and  turned  out  sub- 
sequently to  be  so.  I  had  just  at  that  time  emerged 
from  a  series  of  unforseen  troubles,  and  my  mind  nat- 
urally wandered  to  some  channel  of  thought  that 
would  at  once  divert  the  intellect  from  reveling  in  the 
sorrows  of  the  past,  and  perhaps  I  might  find  in  the 
replies  to  such  an  advertisement  some  such  genial 
warmth,  or  purity  of  heart,  that  would  not  only  give 
peace  to  a  troubled  spirit,  which  had  been  bowed  down 
with  affliction  of  no  common  character,  but  might  also 
lead  to  a  better  understanding  of  mankind,  by  learning 
more  of  the  class  of  persons  who  replied  to  these  ad- 
vertisements. There  are  many  young  men  who  seek 
to  enjoy  themselves  in  a  variety  of  ways,  in  such 


20 

a  large  city  as  New  York.  The  places  of  amusement 
are  almost  always  crowded  at  every  season  of  the 
year — billiard  saloons  forming  no  mean  exception— 

"Nor  envies  he  ought,  more  idle  the  sport, 
Who  pant  with  application  misapplied  to  trivial  joys, 
And  pushing  ivory  balls  across  a  velvet  level, 
Feel  a  joy  akin  to  rapture  when  the  bauble 
Finds  its  destined  goal  of  difficult  access." 

My  source  of  amusement  lies  in  cultivating  a  taste  for 
the  good  and  beautiful  in  nature  and  art  Yet  I  would 
not  have  my  good  readers  think  for  a  moment  that  I 
am  perfection,  for  it  seems  a  sort  of  principle  among 
mankind  to  appear  other  than  they  really  are.  There 
are  proud  and  supercilious  skeptics,  who  affect  to  pity 
simple-minded  Christians,  referring  pride  and  destruc- 
tion to  humility  and  peace — what  a  continuous  source 
of  pleasure  to  the  heart,  what  an  increasing  source  of 
joy  to  the  spirit,  would  it  be  if  mankind  would  always 
dwell  together  in  peace  and  lova  We  have  the  in- 
spired promise  that  it  shall  come.  The  leopard  and 
the  lion,  the  wolf  and  the  lamb,  will  lie  down  to- 
gether— but  the  time  is  not  yet ;  while  sin  is  alive,  sor- 
row will  never  die,  and  therefore  though  our  paths  are 
thronged  with  countless  mercies,  we  must  not  expect 
them  to  abound  with  thornless  flowers. 

"What  traveler  along  the  Hudson  has  not  been 
struck  with  the  magnificence  of  its  scenery,  the  sublime 
grandeur  of  its  mountains,  the  picturesque  beauty  of 
its  fertile  hills,  with  its  flourishing  towns  and  villages,' 
jutting  out  at  intervals  along  its  banks.  The  tourist 
in  pursuit  of  pleasure  can  not  fail  to  find  enjoyment 
in  gazing  upon  the  natural  beauty  of  the  landscape  pre- 
sented to  his  view,  on  rounding  every  curve  by  steam- 
boat or  railroad.  The  suburban  villas  and  residences 


21 

dotted  all  along  the  public  highway  form  no  mean 
part  in  rendering  the  abounding  scenery  attractive ; 
the  interstices  being  fitted  up  by  the  skillful  hand  of 
the  architect  and  artisan,  cunningly  embellishing  and 
replacing  what  nature  had  neglected  or  forgotten. 
Here  and  there  all  along  the  river  may  be  found 
those  beautiful  residences  which  lend  additional  charm 
to  the  scenery :  the  house  of  some  retired  merchant,  or 
banker,  seeking  repose  and  peace  in  his  rural  retreat, 
after  the  lapse  of  a  struggle  with  the  varying  com- 
mercial world  :  or,  perhaps,  more  favored  by  some  for- 
tunate speculation,  he  seeks  that  recreation  in  such  a 
home,  which  is  at  once  conducive  to  health  and  lon- 
gevity. It  was  here  that  Washington  Irving  found  a 
pleasant  seclusion  from  the  bustle  and  confusion  of  city 
life,  where  he  compiled  that  beautiful  tribute  of  his  taste 
and  genius,  and  which  adorns  nearly  every  well-se- 
lected library  (see  Irving's  life  of  Washington). 

It  was  at  one  of  these  beautiful  suburban  retreats  that 
the  letter  was  written  which  I  picked  up  in  the 
post-office,  and  addressed  to  my  quondam  donor — Jual 
Ainegio — as  stated  in  a  former  chapter.  It  was  from  the 
pen  ol  a  lady  possessing  an  education  of  no  common 
character — the  style  of  chirography  being  of  the  first 
order.  It  ran  thus : 

CATSKILL  MOUNTAINS,  August,  1866. 

SIB — I  trust  you  will  overlook  my  seeming  want  of  propriety  in 
thus  addressing  you,  a  stranger,  in  reply  to  your  advertisement, 
which  appeared  in  the  Herald  of  yesterday.  It  is  due  to  truth 
to  say  that  this  is  my  first  attempt  in  departing  from  what  may 
be  termed  a  breach  of  good  sense  or  etiquette,  but  if  you  please 
take  into  consideration  the  monotony  of  life  in  this  dull  re- 
gion (although  surrounded  by  all  the  charms  and  beauties  of 
nature),  for  a  young  lady  of  nineteen  summers,  and  whose  only 


22 

companion  at  present  is  a  stern,  middle-aged  housekeeper,  whose 
frown  sends  a  chill  through  my  veins,  you  may  probably  say, 
that  I  need  some  such  relief  as  answering  an  unknown  corres- 
pondent ;  certainly,  the  novelty  of  those  advertisements  I  have 
noticed  from  time  to  time,  and  the  very  idea  of  finding  some- 
thing to  base  a  subject  for  future  study,  induced  me,  at  this 
time,  to  favor  your  request — besides,  it  is  just  now  vacation,  and 
in  a  few  weeks  more  I  will  resume  my  studies  at  the  seminary 
not  far  from  this  place,  where  all  my  leisure  moments  will  be 
fully  employed  in  scholastic  duties,  and  in  the  genial  compan- 
ionship of  warm  hearts — until  then  I  am  willing  to  be  your  cor- 
respondent. 

Very  respectfully, 

LOTTIE  E.  LATROBE. 
To  JTTAL  AMEOIO, 

Post-office,  New  York. 

There  were  two  paths  now  open  to  me,  either  of 
which  I  might  select  with  profit  to  both ;  besides,  cour- 
tesy demanded  of  me  that  at  least  I  should  either  re- 
turn the  letter  to  this  lady,  with  its  accompanying  ex- 
planation, or  that  by  acceding  to  the  favor  she  so 
kindly  granted,  I  might  be  enabled,  by  a  course  of  rea- 
soning, to  point  out  to  her  that  what  she  termed  a 
"  seeming  breach  of  good  sense  and  etiquette,"  was  in 
reality  so ;  and  surrounded  with  all  the  dangers  arising 
from  which  she  might  not  easily  retrograde,  and  which 
might  also  be  attended  with  all  the  manifold  evils,  by  a 
dereliction  of  duty,  entailing  upon  her  the  worst  con- 
sequences of  such  imprudence.  I  might  also  find  a 
very  agreeable  pastime  in  improving  my  literary  taste  ; 
with  these  views  I  addressed  a  note  to— 

Miss  LOTTIE  E.  LATROBE, 

Catskill  Station,  Hudson  River,  N.  T. 

Miss — Courtesy,  which  forms  one  of  the  characteristics  of  a 
true  gentlemen,  demands  that  I  should  acknowledge  the  receipt 


23 

of  your  esteemed  favor  of  16th  inst.,  although  not  addressed  to 
me  personally.  The  circumstances  under  which  I  became  the 
fortunate  possessor  of  your  note,  is  at  once  novel  and  inter- 
esting, and  admits  of  some  explanation  from  me,  although 
I  can  not  affirm  that  I  could  consistently  fulfill  the  terms  of  the 
advertisement  referred  to  in  all  its  particulars,  yet  I  am  per- 
suaded to  the  belief  that  a  correspondence  with  a  lady  (such  as 
I  believe  you  to  be)  would  prove  to  be  a  source  of  mutual  bene- 
fit to  both,  and  might  probably  lead  to  the  most  pleasing  results. 
If  I  can  relieve  the  ennui  of  one  dull  hour  in  the  seclusion  of 
your  rural  home,  by  relating  the  incident  of  the  letter,  or  otherwise 
employ  language  to  improve  an  acquaintance  so  strangely  begun, 
I  shall  indeed  be  amply  repaid. 

With  respect,  I  am,  Miss, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  DAVENPORT. 

Box—  Post-office. 

This  note  called  forth  a  very  pleasing  reply  from 
Miss  Lottie  E.  LaTrobe,  and  which  resulted  in  still 
farther  correspondence  on  the  subject  of  the  "  Per- 
sonals," and  the  peculiar  circumstance  of  my  finding 
the  letter.  Each  succeeding  missive  which  came  from 
the  mountains  of  Catskill  breathed  forth  a  purity  of 
sentiment  and  pathos  that  would  do  credit  to  a  lady  of 
more  mature  years,  and  it  became  at  once  apparent  to 
me  that  Miss  L.  had  attained  a  more  advanced  stage  of 
womanhood  than  nineteen  summers ;  however,  the  mo- 
tives for  avoiding  the  accustomed  channel  of  epistolary 
correspondence  at  once  directs  that  a  certain  disguise  is 
necessary  to  ensure  that  secrecy  from  insult  and  ex- 
posure, which  might  be  naturally  expected  to  follow 
from  so  clandestine  a  course.  Miss  LaTrobe  was  per- 
fectly secure  from  this  humiliation.  I  had  taken  the 
best  method  of  informing  myself  that  I  was  correspond- 
ing not  only  with  a  lady  of  education  and  refinement,  but 


24 

of  respectability,  whose  only  apparent  fault  was  a  de- 
parture from  prudence  and  good  sense,  in  which  she 
hoped  to  find  something  that  would  serve  the  double 
purpose  of  pleasure  and  happiness.  If  there  is  one 
thing  more  than  another  that  can  assume  different 
shapes,  it  is  the  phantom  we  all  pursue  and  take  for 
happiness.  In  her  mistaken  zeal  to  find  some  new 
object  to  divert  her  thoughts,  she  sought  to  follow  a 
path  strewn  with  innumerable  thorns,  the  puncture  from 
any  one  of  which  might  rankle  and  destroy  the  bright- 
est hopes  of  her  future.  Excited  by  such  novelties  as 
these,  and  a  still  further  desire  to  see  the  person  whom 
she  kindly  flattered,  by  stating  "that  sentiments  like 
those  which  I  had  written  could  only  emanate  from 
a  gentleman  actuated  by  honor  and  honorable  motives," 
and  feeling  secured  in  this,  she  resolved  to  grant  me  an 
interview  at  such  a  time  and  place  as  would  meet  her 
convenience,  arid  as  I  had  positively  assured  her  in  an 
unmistakable  manner  of  my  respectability,  she  felt  no 
hesitancy  in  granting  it,  as  under  other  and  less  con- 
vincing assurances  she  would  reasonably  entertain, 
and  having  made  her  mind  at  ease,  she  finally  agreed 
to  grant  me  an  interview,  appointing  a  time  and  place 
that  would  suit  the  convenience  of  either. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  VINDICATION    AND    REPROVAL — DUTIES    OF    WIVES    AITD 
HUSBANDS. 

It  is  not  an  unusual  circumstance  that  we  sometimes 
find  men  who  turn  aside  from  the  study  of  their  pur- 
suits, whether  in  the  commercial  world,  or  in  the  halls 
of  legislature,  to  follow  in  some  indirect  path,  where 
they  can  not  either  profitably  employ  their  time  or 
minister  to  the  well-being  of  our  common  society. 
They  are  temporarily  blinded,  as  it  were,  by  the  evil 
genius  inherent  in  our  nature ;  whereas,  had  the  same 
leisure  moments  been  employed  in  some  laudable  pur- 
suit, they  might  subserve  their  fellow-men  and  the  best 
interest  of  society  by  their  social  and  moral  example. 
Oftentimes  such  wanderings  lead  to  a  diversity  of  sor- 
row :  business  becomes  neglected  ;  embarrassment  creeps 
in ;  the  happiness  of  home  is  forgotten,  and  frequently 
blighted :  then  looking  forward,  on  the  brink  of  despair, 
they  find  the  slippery  sands  of  hope  leading  them  still 
onward  to  perhaps  some  fatal  step — despairing  that 
they  can  ever  regain  that  which  they  once  held,  fame 
and  fortune,  or  the  influence  they  once  wielded  for 
good.  Other  causes  there  are  which  lead  to  this  aban- 
donment of  principle,  and  the  most  fatal  one  of  which 
is  that  the  home  circle  was  not  made  happy — many  a 
home  that  might  have  been  made  cheerful  and  happy 


26 

by  an  agreeable  and  pleasant  smile,  or  forty-and-one  lit- 
tle endearing  words  that  would  bind  the  most  obdurate 
heart,  and  alleviate  the  asperities  incident  to  the  busi- 
ness cares  to  be  met  with  during  the  day,  are  either 
left  unheeded  or  forgotten.  It  is  not  an  infrequent  oc- 
currence that  the  wife  has  to  mourn  over  the  alienated 
affections  of  her  husband,  because  she  has  made  no 
effort  herself  to  strenghten  and  increase  his  attachment ; 
she  thinks  that  because  he  once  loved  her  that  he  ought 
always  to  love  her,  and  she  neglects  those  attentions 
which  engaged  his  heart  at  the  beginning  ;  many  a  wife 
is  thus  the  cause  of  her  own  neglect  and  sorrow.  That 
woman  deserves  not  a  husband's  love  who  will  not  greet 
him  with  smiles  when  he  returns  home  from  the  labors 
of  the  day,  who  will  not  try  to  endear  him  to  home  by 
the  sweet  enchantment  of  a  cheerful  heart  There  is 
not  one  husband  in  a  thousand  so  unfeeling,  or  who 
disregards  the  finer  impulses  of  human  nature,  as  to 
be  capable  of  withstanding  such  an  influence,  and  of 
breaking  away  from  such  a  home  and  such  a  wife.  I 
would  therefore  add ;  wives,  look  well  to  your  husbands, 
and  husbands,  look  well  to  your  wives ;  act  well  your 
part,  for  'tis  there  all  honor  and  happiness  lie.  The 
ancient  Greek  poet,  Sophocles,  who  died  more  than 
2,200  years  ago,  wrote  a  beautiful  stanza  on  woman, 
and  proves  that  then,  as  now,  a  fond  and  faithful  wo- 
man was  regarded  as  the  perfection  of  all  human 
beings : 

"  Faithful  as  the  dog,  the  lonely  shepherd's  pride  ; 
True  as  the  helm,  the  bark's  protecting  guide  ; 
Firm  as  the  shaft  that  props  the  towering  dome  ; 
Sweet  as  to  shipwrecked  seaman  land  and  home ; 
Lovely  as  child,  the  parents'  sole  delight ; 
Kadiant  ar=  rnorn  that  breaks  the  stormy  night; 
Grateful  as  streams  within  some  deco  receso, 
With  nils  and  hope  the  panting  traveler  biess." 


CHAPTER  Y. 


LOVE'S  RAMBLES  AMONG  T^E  CATSKFULS  —  A  MEETING  BY  AP- 
POINTMENT —  MY  FIRST  LESSON  IK  DECEPTION. 

The  invitation  from  Miss  L.  was  duly  received,  and 
as  in  her  former  letters,  was  clothed  in  that  style  of  lan- 
guage that  at  once  betokened  a  mind  of  mature  experi- 
ence, setting  forth  that  as  she  was  now  about  to  take  a 
step  in  granting  an  interview  to  one  to  whom  she  was 
an  entire  stranger,  she  felt  that  she  was  treading  on 
very  dangerous  and  insecure  ground,  the  consequences 
arising  from  which  might  prove  very  detrimental  to 
her  good  name.  Truly,  when  a  young  lady  seeks 
amusement  or  gratification  in  things  without  the  pale 
of  her  sympathies,  she  sets  her  foot  on  very  dangerous 
ground  ;  she  courts,  or  rather  invites,  inquiry  into  all 
the  motives  which  impel  her  to  adopt  such  a  course  ; 
but  many  young  ladies,  I  presume,  cheat  their  con- 
sciences into  quiet  on  this  score,  reasoning  to  themselves 
that  their  sense  of  morality  and  good  judgment  is  not 
at  fault,  but  is  strong  enough  to  be  capable  of  resisting 
any  outward  influence.  It  was  arranged  that  the  in- 
terview should  take  place  a  short  distance  from  Cats- 
kill,  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  remark,  and  simply 
with  a  view,  as  expressed  by  her,  of  making  the  better 
acquaintance  of  one  in  whose  literary  taste  she  had  be- 
come so  much  pleased  and  interested.  It  was  further 


28 

agreed,  that  as  we  were  comparatively  strangers  to  each 
other,  that  a  mutual  understanding  be  had  as  to  the 
mode  by  which  we  might  recognize  one  another  (as  in 
all  such  cases  made  and  provided),  which  should  be  by 
a  certain  sign  or  token.  The  lady  would  be  intently 
reading  a  book,  which  subsequently  turned  out  to  be 
one  of  those  fictitious  works,  so  cheap  and  so  easily  ob- 
tained that  they  creep,  how,  one  scarcely  knows,  into 
every  family,  and  young  persons  who  are  naturally 
averse  to  the  labor  of  thinking,  and  love  whatever 
keeps  pace  with  their  own  imaginations,  seize  on  them 
with  avidity.  The  gentleman  would  be  recognized  by 
having  in  his  hand  one  of  those  same  interesting  mis- 
sives, written  and  mailed  at  a  branch  post-office,  near 
the  picturesque  mountains  of  Catskill.  All  these  neces- 
sary preliminaries  being  arranged,  I  departed  next  morn- 
ing from  ISTew  York  by  the  train  designated,  and  having 
traveled  along  the  beautiful  slopes  of  the  Hudson  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Catskill,  reached  there,  as  -a  con- 
ductor would  say,  "  on  time."  Having  walked  some  dis- 
tance, according  to  the  map  laid  down  by  Miss  L.,  I 
came  to  a  turn  in  the  road,  from  which  I  could  see  un- 
interruptedly for  at  least  half  a  mile.  The  reader  can 
hardly  imagine  a  more  beautiful  spot,  or  one  better  se- 
lected for  a  first  interview.  It  was  a  beautiful  autum- 
nal morning,  wherein  everything  betokened  the  beauty 
and  wisdom  of  Divine  Providence,  the  beautiful  foli- 
age of  the  trees  still  wearing  their  vernal  grandeur, 
and  called  forth  from  my  memory  Moore's  exquisite 
lines : 


"  Ne'er  tell  me  of  gloriea  serenely  adorning 

The  close  of  our  dfly,  the  calm  eve  of  our  night — 
Give  me  bock,  give  me  back,  tlie  mild  freshness  of  morning ; 
Her  clouds  and  her  tears  are  worth  evening's  best  light." 


29 

If  parents  felt  the  value  of  promoting  a  love  of  na- 
ture in  their  children  merely  as  a  preventive  of  foolish 
and  injurious  pursuits,  they  would  make  it  a  far  more 
prominent  object  in  their  training  than  is  usually  the 
case  ;  but  to  return  to  my  interview.  1  had  walked 
probably  about  three  to  five  hundred  yards  in  the  di- 
rection above  referred  to,  when  I  saw  in  the  distance 
coming  toward  me,  a  lady,  whom  I  knew  was  the  one 
who  so  kindly  granted  me  the  interview,  and  holding 
in  her  hand  a  volume  of  some  novel,  which  she  seemed 
to  peruse  with  the  usual  interest  that  engages  the  atten- 
tion of  all  readers  of  light  literature  ;  but  of  course  it 
was  apparent  to  me  that  her  mind,  and  perhaps  her 
heart,  too,  was  absorbed  in  a  more  interesting  study. 
On  my  near  approach,  the  lady  raised  her  eyes  from  her 
book,  and  made  a  respectful  bow  to  me,  which  I  as  re- 
spectfully acknowledged,  at  the  same  time  apologizing 
for  my  seeming  intrusion,  or  rather  interruption  of  her 
morning  studies.  She  reminded  me  that  it  was  then 
her  vacation,  and  she  was  seeking  in  other  and  more 
pleasing  pursuits  a  little  recreation  and  relief  from 
the  monotonous  routine  of  school  studies.  Of 'course  I 
could  not  fail  to  find  in  this  remark  something  that 
favored  the  idea  in  my  mind  that  she  was  slightly  de- 
parting from  candor.  Miss  L.  was  a  lady  of  about 
twenty-four  or  twenty-five  years  of  age,  about  middle 
height,  of  graceful  and  lady-like  figure  and  deport- 
ment, having  large,  beaming  blue  eyes,  lofty  forehead, 
and  a  proud,  earnest  look  and  manner,  that  betokened  a 
lady  of  mental  culture  and  accomplishments — this  was 
somewhat  counterbalanced  by  a  vivacity  of  manner  and 
an  uncommonly  lively  imagination ;  although  not  the 
counterpart  of  prudence  at  first  sight,  nevertheless,  it 
was  the  genial  enthusiasm  of  her  nature,  and  harmo- 


30 

mzed  with  the  external  charms  of  her  person.  The 
interview  and  conversation  were  both  pleasing  and 
instructive ;  the  incident  of  the  letter  addressed  to  Jual 
Amegio  being  freely  and  fully  commented  upon ;  and 
when  the  time  of  my  departure  had  arrived,  it  was  with 
feelings  of  extreme  regret  on  the  part  of  both  that  we 
separated ;  and  such  was  the  interest  manifested  by  Miss 
L.  at  the  pleasure  of  the  meeting,  that  she  expressed 
the  hope  that  it  might  be  the  precursor  of  many  such 
pleasant  interviews  to  both.  I  coincided  in  the  same 
feeling,  and  a  mutual  good  understanding  began  to  per- 
vade the  minds  of  both  parties.  I  then  retraced  my 
steps  to  the  railroad  station,  and  returned  to  New 
York,  dwelling  at  intervals  on  the  singularity  of  the 
occurrence,  and  the  day  I  had  so  pleasantly  spent  in 
the  society  of  Miss  LaTrobe. 

4 '  A  strange  emotion  stirs  within  him — more 
Than  mere  compassion  ever  waked  before." 


CHAPTER  VL 

FIBST  FKUITS  OF  MY  PERSONAL— A  SINGULAR  RESPONSE  FROM 
A  MERCHANT  MILLIONAIRE. 

The  following  day,  on  my  going  to  the  post-office 
and  making  the  usual  inquiry  for  my  mail  matter,  I 
was  somewhat  startled  at  finding,  in  addition  to  my 
usual  business  correspondence,  that  there  were  twenty- 
seven  other  letters,  the  addresses  on  which  indicated 
that  they  were  evidently  from  persons  who  ignored 
business  pursuits,  as  fit  employment  only  for  the  sterner 
sex  ;  and  I  then  revolved  in  my  mind  that  the  incident 
of  having  sent  my  advertisement  to  the  editor  of  the 
Waverly  Magazine  was  bringing  forth  its  own  fruits. 
I  found  that  I  had  thirty-four  letters  in  all,  a  goodly 
handful,  and  having  been  warned  by  the  carelessness 
of  "Jual  Amegio,"  I  securely  grasped  the  precious 
bundle,  and  wended  my  way  to  my  office.  On  reach- 
ing there,  I  separated  from  the  thirty-four  those  which 
were  addressed  in  a  more  business  hand  than  the  others, 
and  carefully  made  a  parcel  of  the  remaining  twenty- 
seven,  and  placed  them  in  a  place  of  security  till  after 
business  hours,  when  I  could  devote  more  time  to 
mental  culture,  "and  social  interchange"  of  thought 
upon  any  subject  (matrimony  not  excepted).  Fancy  my 
surprise,  on  opening  the  first  one  of  the  seven,  addressed 
in  a  good  bold  hand,  to  find  a  reply  to  my  advertisement 
Being  naturally  of  an  impulsive  temperament,  my  first 


32 

thought  was  to  destroy  the  letter,  supposing  that  the 
writer,  from  mere  curiosity,  desired  to  have  a  little  sport 
at  my  expense ;  however,  reasoning  from  analogy,  I  con- 
cluded that  as  I  Lad  embarked  in  such  a  field  of  enter- 
prise, that  it  might  be  construed  into  cowardice  were  I. 
to  retrograde  from  the  line  of  demarkation  which  I  laid 
out  for  myself.  Acting  from  this  standpoint,  I  con- 
cluded that  I  would  fulfill  the  engagement  to  the  letter, 
and  call  upon  the  writer,  who  was  a  gentleman,  and 
not  a  lady.  He  respectfully  and  kindly  invited  me  to 
call  upon  him,  at  his  house  in — ,  New  York,  on  the 
subject  to  which  my  advertisement  referred.  The  let- 
ter ran  thus : 

NEW  YORK  CITY,  September  25,  1869. 

SIR — My  attention  has  been  directed  to  your  advertisement  in 
the  Waverly  journal  of  this  week.  I  was  not  only  attracted 
by  its  uniqueness,  but  also  by  its  general  tenor,  wherein  you 
propose  to  offer  evidence  of  your  respectability  and  social  posi- 
tion ;  with  these  guarantees,  I  will  be  pleased  to  meet  you,  with 
equal  candor  on  my  part,  at  my  house  to-morrow  evening, 
say  eight  P.M. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ARTHUR  TINSLEY  STRANGEWAYS. 
To  J.  H.  DAVEXFORT, 

Box — Post-office,  New  York. 

The  reader  will  see  by  the  above  that  no  allusion 
was  made  to  a  lady  being  in  the  background,  conse- 
quently I  did  not  feel  the  same  amount  of  reserve  or 
hesitancy  in  calling  upon  the  gent,  as  if  called  upon  to 
visit  a  lady  in  such  a  mansion  as  his.  The  reader 
will  also  discover,  that  I  have  not  given  the  real  name 
of  the  gentleman  (having  stated  in  the  first  that  real 
names  would  not  be  introduced)  and  for  the  want  of 


33     ' 

• 

one  more  appropriate,  we  will  call  him  by  the  more 
euphonious  name  of  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways. 

I  addressed  a  letter  to  this  gentleman,  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  his  letter  of  25th  September,  at  the  same 
time  expressing  regret  that  I  could  not  consistently  ac- 
cept his  kind  invitation  for  the  evening  named,  inas- 
much as  I  had  made  a  previous  engagement,  which 
precluded  the  possibility  of  my  accepting  his,  but  any 
other  evening  of  that  week  that  suited  his  convenience, 
I  would  have  pleasure  in  calling  upon  him.  This 
apology  was  accepted,  and  any  evening  that  week  at 
the  same  hour  would  answer  as  well.  The  evening 
but  one  following  the  above,  after  a  brief  sojourn  at 
my  toilet  I  repaired  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley 
Strangeways. 


CHAPTER  VII 

ARTHUR  TlNSLEY  STRANGEWAY8  AT  HOMK — STRIKING  A  BAB- 
GAIN — THROWING  "  STEWED  PRUNES  "  UPON  THE  MARKET 

Agreeably  with  my  promise,  I  arrived  at  the  ap- 
'  pointed  hour  at  the  palatial  mansion  of  the  above-named 
gentleman,  whom  I  have  before  introduced  to  the 
reader  as  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways,  situated  in  the 
most  fashionable  and  aristocratic  thoroughfare  of  the 
city,  and  comes  under  that  style  of  residences  usually 
known  as  "  brown  stone  front ;  "  it  is  in  no  way  remark- 
able for  its  beauty  or  architectural  features.  It  has 
an  importance,  nevertheless,  in  the  eyes  of  the  com- 
munity, which  does  not  belong  to  any  other  house  on 
the  street,  or  even  to  many  a  stately  edifice  of  a  simi- 
lar structure  in  the  same  neighborhood,  simply  on  ac- 
count of  the  owner  being  associated  with  commerce 
and  wealth.  The  servant  having  presented  my  card, 
returned  and  politely  showed  me  into  a  parlor,  where 
I  was  allowed  to  remain  a  short  time.  There  I  sat  in 
an  easy  chair,  most  probably  at  times  occupied  by  the 
owner  of  the  mansion.  Around  the  room  and  dwel- 
ling were  evidences  of  luxury  and  ease,  taste  and  mag- 
nificence, and  entitling  the  owner  to  the  appellation  of 
a  "  philanthropic  merchant "  Whether  this  title  is  given 
in  good  taste  or  otherwise,  those  who  repair  there  on  a 
benevolent  mission  for  the  good  and  well-being  of  so- 


35 

ciety,  are  the  best  capable  of  judging.  In  a  short  time 
my  musings  were  brought  to  a  close  by  the  door  being 
opened,  and  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add,  that  Mr. 
Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways  was  bowing  before  me, 
with  my  card  in  his  hand,  I  arose  from  the  chair  on 
which  I  was  resting  on  his  entering  the  room,  and  he 
very  kindly  requested  me  to  be  seated.  He  drew  an 
arm-chair  which  stood  near  to  him,  close  to  mine,  and 
sat  down,  also,  he  opening  the  conversation  by  referring 
to  my  note  of  apology,  &c.,  &c. ;  he  then  stated  to  me 
(what  I  had  known  previously)  that  in  all  -matters  of 
commercial  business  he  delegated  the  authority  to 
others  who  attended  to  that  for  him,  as  the  multiplicity  of 
his  engagements  were  such,  both  at  home  and  abroad, 
that  he  could  not  well  devote  his  leisure  to  the  many 
objects  of  interest  that  presented  themselves  from  day 
to  day  before  him,  but  in  this  particular  instance  he  felt 
that  he  had  a  duty  of  a  more  than  ordinary  interest  to 
perform.  I  felt  at  the  moment  of  this  speech  being 
made  as  if  I  was  on  the  eve  of  receiving  some  good  or 
profitable  advice,  and  that  the  spirit  of  philanthropy  lay 
smouldering  in  the  bosom  of  one  who  only  needed  to 
be  reminded  of  its  dormancy  by  the  gentle  tones  of  an 
advertisement,  such  as  mine  that  appeared  in  the 
Waverly  Magazine.  It  would  be  a  manifest  libel  on 
my  powers  of  perception  and  understanding,  did  I  fail 
to  discover  in  this  man  his  true  character,  and  the  ob- 
j  ect  he  had  in  requesting  an  interview  with  me ;  I  do 
him  no  injustice  by  saying  that  there  certainly  appeared 
a  masking  of  the  one  he  was  then  assuming,  and  at  the 
same  time  displaying  a  suavity  of  manner  that  seemed 
to  me  to  be  altogether  unnatural,  so  strained  and  over- 
wrought that  I  was  forcibly  reminded  of  an  amateur 
undertaking  to  play  a  role  or  rehearse  a  piece  for  which 


36 

he  was  wholly  unfitted,  unmindful  that  his  efforts  were 
likely  to  be  the  subject  of  public  critique.  No  secrecy 
being  enjoined  upon  either,  I  do  not  feel  that  in  this, 
no  more  than  in  the  recital  of  other  interviews  equally 
truthful  or  interesting,  that  I  am  committing  any 
breach  of  privilege  or  good  taste  in  its  recital ;  but  the 
moral  (if  such  can  be  obtained  from  it)  may  subserve 
that  class  of  society  whose  curiosity  leads  them  to  bury 
their  intellect  in  the  sweets  of  a  fascinating  romance,  or 
what  is  far  worse,  in  replying  to  unknown  correspond- 
ents who  advertise  under  the  head  of  "  Personals ;  "  and 
here  let  me  add  that  it  would  be  as  difficult  (in  many 
cases  I  have  known)  to  purify  the  poisoned  stream  flow- 
ing from  a  fountain,  as  to  point  out  the  manifold  and 
wide-spread  evils  which  have  their  origin  in  a  mis- 
guided and  perverted  judgment  on  this  particular  fancy. 
But  to  return  to  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways.  Af- 
ter the  usual  preliminary  conversation  had  transpired, 
he  informed  me,  as  he  had  stated  in  his  note,  that 
his  attention  was  called  (whether  by  another  he  did 
not  say)  to  the  peculiar  wording  of  my  advertisement 
in  the  Waverly  Magazine,  and  he  did  me  the  honor 
(whether  from  sinister  motives  or  otherwise)  in  say- 
ing that  it  bore  evidence  of  a  gentleman  of  good  taste 
and  education,  and  having  assured  himself  beyond 
doubt  of  my  respectability,  he  felt  no  hesitation  in 
naming  the  object  he  had  in  summoning  me  before  him. 
He  commenced  by  saying,  that  he  had  a  young  lady 
then  under  his  charge,  and  as  her  guardian  he  felt 
anxiously  solicitous  for  her  future  welfare  in  life ;  that 
she  had  had,  so  far,  but  little  introduction  into  society, 
although  possessing  all  the  graces  and  accomplish- 
ments that  adorn  the  female  character ;  she  was  also 
gifted  with  a  liberal  education,  and  was  in  every  way 


37 

calculated  to  ornament  the  home  of  any  man.  He 
then  paid  an  additional  tribute  to  my  good  judgment, 
in  taking  that  mode  of  selecting  a  partner  for  the 
future,  and  he  was  also  much  pleased  to  find  that  I 
was  apparently  a  man  of  years  and  discretion,  and 
whom  he  presumed  had  advanced  to  the  age  of  thirty- 
five  years ;  and  as  his  ward  was  then  in  her  twenty-fifth 
year,  he  felt  that  the  disparity  in  the  age  was  an  imma- 
terial difference,  inasmuch  as  the  well-being  of  society 
depended  in  a  great  degree  on  the  quality  of  good  sense 
brought  to  bear  in  our  business  relations  with  the  world, 
and  that  a  youtb.ful  wife  could  reap  all  the  advantages 
to  be  derived  from  the  lessons  of  experience  inculcated 
by  one  so  far  advanced  in  years  as  myself  I  was  of 
course  respectfully  silent  during  the  recital  of  this 
glowing  panegyric  of  the  married  state,  which  was  well 
calculated  to  influence  a  life  of  single  blessedness. 
"  Cujuslibet  rei  simulator  atque  dissimulator."  Neverthe- 
less, I  was  forcibly  reminded  of  the  absence  of  those 
parental  blessings  which  adorn  the  household  and  en- 
hance the  happiness  of  parents ;  then  again,  there  was  no 
appearance  of  maidenly  or  motherly  grace  that  might  call 
forth  the  admiration,  and  serve  to  strengthen  his  argu- 
ment, for  as  yet  I  had  not  seen  the  semblance  of  female 
"  influence."  There  was  a  still  solemnity  in  that  abode 
of  wealth. 

I  coincided  with  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways, 
and  that  all  he  had  stated,  to  which  I  earnestly  and 
attentively  listened,  was  excellent  in  theory  ;  and  in  or- 
der to  find  a  practical  illustration  of  all  that  he  had 
advanced,  that  I  was  endeavoring  to  reach  that  goal 
through  the  medium  of  the  advertisement  to  which  his 
attention  had  been  directed,  at  the  same  time  reminding 
him  of  the  proviso  in  it.  The  interview  lasted  a  rea- 


88 

sonable  length  of  time,  and  at  its  conclusion  I  was  very 
agreeably  disappointed  at  the  turn  the  conversation 
had  taken,  when  I  was  informed  by  him  that  if  it 
should  meet  my  convenience  he  would  be  pleased  to 
introduce  me  to  his  ward  (with  whose  guardianship 
he  was  the  sole  trustee)  on  a  subsequent  evening. 

In  ordinary  matters,  it  would  be  of  real  intrinsic  value 
to  receive  an  introduction  from  such  a  gentleman,  the 
high-sounding  influence  of  his  name  being  considered 
all-potent  with  a  great  many  ;  but,  "  what's  in  a  name," 
the  sequel  will  show. 

He  had  sufficiently  sounded  the  depths  of  my  views 
(as  he  very  nautically  expressed  it)  to  enable  him  to 
judge  that  the  acceptance  and  selection  he  had  made 
would  warrant  him  in  saying  that  the  interview  would 
be  alike  acceptable  to  both.  "  If  men  praise  your  ef- 
forts, suspect  their  judgment;  if  they  censure  them, 
your  own."  The  singularity  of  my  being  accepted  as  a 
suitor  to  an  unknown  lady,  reminded  me  very  forcibly 
of  the  evil  consequences  of  forced  alliances,  and  this  fact 
forewarned  me  that  I  should  examine  very  closely  the 
other  side  of  the  picture.  I  put  the  interrogatory  to 
myself:  Can  this  be  reality ?  Is  it  possible  that  such 
a  man,  one  of  the  wealthiest  in  New  York,  who  could 
secure  for  his  protege  the  best  position  in  society,  is  not 
seeking  some  channel  into  which  he  can  pour  the  dross 
from  the  crucible  held  in  his  own  hand,  having  ex- 
tracted the  purer  metal  by  an  analysis  known  only  to 
himself,  and  by  which  he  alone  would  be  benefitted  ? 
Or  are  the  portals  of  communication  between  those  seek- 
ing matrimony  so  far  closed  that  when  maidenly  mod- 
esty comes  along,  arrayed  in  the  garb  of  innocence  and 
virtue,  that  she  can  not  gain  entrance  ?  No,  it  can  not 
be  so.  Society  ought  not  to  be  reduced  to  so  low  a 


39 

standard  as  to  be  obliged  to  seek  the  unreal  where  the 
real  is  within  the  reach  of  those  who  prefer  morality 
and  virtue,  instead  of  vice  and  shame. 

Mr.  Strangeways  had  promised  me  much,  when  I 
should  have  an  interview  with  his  ward.  That  which  pro- 
mises much  frequently  yields  but  little,  while  that  which 
has  been  undervalued  is  often  abundantly  productive. 
Whatever  may  be  the  outward  words  and  deeds,  there 
is  so  much  that  is  deceptive  shielded  beneath  them, 
and  we  know,  at  the  very  best,  but  part  of  the  truth,  I 
sometimes  think  that  the  best  and  worst  deeds  of  men 
are  yet  unchromcled.  History  affords  illustration  of 
men  who  have  been  effigied  in  marble,  calling  forth  the 
admiration  of  mankind,  who  have  surpassed  in  crime 
the  meanest  culprit ;  while  virtuous  hundreds  have  lived 
and  died  whose  names  the  dust  of  oblivion  have  rendered 
illegible  forever.  Could  we  discern  the  passions  and 
motives  that  influence  the  worst,  aye,  and  the  best  of 
men,  we  should  be  compelled  to  regard  every  man  as 
wearing  a  mask,  and  concealing  thereby  the  real  features 
of  big  mind. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

INTERVIEW  WITH  Miss  CLOTHILDE  HAMILTON  IN  STRANGEWAYS' 
PARLOR — THE  "  PRUNES  "  THAT  HAD  A  PRICE — GRADUAL 
APPROACHES. 

A  few  evenings  subsequent  to  my  interview  in  the 
preceding  chapter,  I  stepped  into  a  Fifth  avenue  stage, 
and  reached  the  residence  to  which  I  had  been  so  kindly 
invited.  I  requested  the  servant  to  take  my  card  to  Mr. 
Strangeways,  as  I  had  been  informed  that  he  was  at 
home.  I  was  politely  ushered  into  the  parlor  by  the 
servant,  with  a  request  to  be  seated  until  I  was  an- 
nounced. On  entering  the  room,  I  saw  a  young  lady  was 
sitting  engaged  in  the  agreeable  pastime  of  crochet  work. 
The  servant,  probably  not  being  aware  that  the  parlor 
was  occupied,  had  unintentionally  committed  an  error 
in  placing  me  there.  The  lady,  somewhat  embarrassed, 
politely  bowed  and  arose  from  her  seat,  taking  with 
her  the  fancy  basket  containing  the  paraphernalia  of 
her  pleasing  industry,  and  retired. 

Here,  let  me  say  a  word  or  two  on  the  subject  of 
those  fancy  accomplishments.  Any  one  who  has  studied 
the  aggregate  character  of  young  ladies  of  the  present 
day,  must  have  noticed  their  helpless  dependence,  their 
want  of  moral  strength,  and  their  deficiency  in  physical 
energy,  mainly  supennduced  by  light  novel-reading  and 
fancy  needle-work.  Many  of  the  young  ladies  of  the 


41 

present  time  have  not  the  strength  or  knowledge  neces- 
sary to  do  any  active  labor,  but  instead  of  being  ashamed 
of  their  ignorance  of  what  every  woman  ought  to  know, 
they  glory  in  their  deficiency,  and  if  perchance  they  (in 
Grecian  bend  style)  stray  into  the  kitchen  (frequently 
occupied  by  their  mother),  they  are  continually  on  the 
alert  lest  some  one  should  surprise  them  there,  and  they 
would  consider  it  a  lasting  disgrace  to  be  found  in  any 
sort  of  household  labor,  except,  indeed,  some  light  part 
which  they  consider  genteel.  Be  assured,  young  ladies, 
you  will,  by  a  neglect  of  domestic  duties,  sow  the  seeds 
of  unhappiness,  not  only  for  yourselves,  but  for  all  those 
who  are  in  any  way  dependent  upon  you  for  the  com- 
forts of  home,  by  adopting  such  a  course  as  this.  Per- 
haps some  young  lady,  whose  conscience  convicts  her  of 
having  thus  added  to  a  mother's  cares,  may  make  her 
apology  by  saying  that  her  mother  prefers  to  attend  to 
those  matters,  because  she  can  do  them  so  much  better 
than  her  children,  or  because  it  is  her  desire  that  they 
should  improve  themselves  in  their  education.  But  let 
me  remind  her  that  education  does  not  consist  in  filling 
the  mind  of  the  girl  with  the  ideas  of  others,  or  smoth- 
ering her  with  accomplishments,  but  in  regulating  her 
temper,  cultivating  her  reason,  subduing  her  passions, 
directing  her  feelings,  and  fitting  her  for  that  station  in 
life  to  which  God  in  his  providence  has  called  her. 

Soon  after  the  retirement  of  the  lady  with  the  fancy 
work-basket,  Mr  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways  entered 
the  room  and  bade  me  welcome  with  a  bland  smile,  and 
with  the  same  suavity  of  manner  as  on  a  former  occa- 
sion, at  the  same  time  informing  me  that  he  had  already 
introduced  the  subject  to  Miss  Clothilde  Hamilton, 
who  was  then  finishing  some  fancy  work,  and  would 
join  us  presently. 


42 

If  dissimulation  is  ever  to  be  pardoned,  it  is  that 
which  men  have  recourse  to  in  order  to  obtain  situa- 
tions which  may  enlarge  their  sphere  of  usefulness,  and 
afford  the  power  of  bettering  their  fellow-men.  Many 
men  who  have  gained  power,  wealth,  and  influence,  by 
hypocrisy  as  gross  as  that  of  Pope  Sixtus,  have  not 
used  it  half  so  well.  This  Pope,  when  Cardinal,  coun- 
terfeited sickness,  and  all  the  infirmities  of  age,  so 
well  as  to  dupe  the  whole  conclave.  His  name  was 
Montalto,  and  on  a  division  of  the  vacant  apostolic  chair, 
he  was  elected  as  a  stop  gap  by  both  parties,  under  the 
idea  that  he  could  not  possibly  survive  out  the  year. 

The  moment  he  was  chosen,  he  threw  away  his 
crutches,  and  began  to  sing  Te  Deum  with  a  much 
stronger  voice  than  his  electors  had  bargained  for,  and  in- 
stead of  walking  with  a  tottering  step,  and  a  gait  almost 
bending  to  the  earth,  he  began  to  walk  not  only  firm,  but 
perfectly  upright 

My  would-be  benefactor  appears  to  walk  upright  in 
the  eyes  of  most  men ;  probably  so ;  but  should  a  learned 
divine  have  the  temerity  to  visit  him  with  the  view  of 
aiding  a  home  or  foreign  charity,  or  to  plead  the  cause 
of  suffering  humanity,  that  woebegone  countenance  is 
at  once  assumed,  and  the  voice  so  modulated  as  to 
damp  the  ardor  of  the  benevolent  visitor ;  but  when  the 
applicant  takes  his  departure  to  more  charitable  re- 
gions, and  Mr.  Strangeways  is  left  to  the  musings  of  his 
avaricious  intellect,  he  discards  the  sanctimonious  voice, 
and  assumes  one  that  comports  wtih  his  usual  business 
resolves.  Then,  as  if  to  make  reparation  for  the  tem- 
porary abstraction  from  his  coffers,  he  seeks  to  embar- 
rass some  successful  competitor  in  the  commercial  center, 
until  he  is  obliged  to  succumb  to  the  influence  of  his 
capital  There  are  many  indirect  paths  by  which  this 


43 

is  accomplished,  and  when  the  issue  is  determined,  it  is 
known  that  one  more  generous-hearted  merchant  has 
left  the  field  of  enterprise  to  become  perhaps  the  em-; 
ploye  of  some  sordid  rival. 

It  is  said  that  noted  men,  like  noted  cities,  have  many 
crooked  arts  and  dark  alleys  in  their  hearts,  and  that 
there  are  some  who  are  fortune's  favorites,  and  who,  like 
cats,  light  forever  upon  their  limbs.  The  indulgent 
reader  may  probably  inquire  why  such  similes  are  in- 
troduced, or  why  Mr.  Strangeways'  peculiar  tactics  in 
business  are  reverted  to  ?  It  is  because  of  their  singu- 
larity, and  their  having  a  special  bearing  on  the  history 
of  his  ward  (Miss  Hamilton),  that  it  is  for  a  moment 
alluded  to,  as  the  sequel  will  show. 

So  far,  matters  seemed  to  be  progressing  favorably, 
and  without  any  undue  exertion  on  my  part.  My  agent, 
to  all  appearances,  was  an  experienced  diplomat ;  was,  in 
fact,  aufait  in  such  affairs,  and  exercised  the  functions 
of  his  office  in  a  remarkably  skillful  manner.  He 
played  the  master  of  ceremonies  on  this  occasion,  and  it 
was  laid  down  in  his  programme  that  I  would  be  intro- 
duced by  him  in  my  proper  name,  and  as  engaged  in 
New  York  in  commercial  circles,  in  what  capacity  it 
was  not  then  explained.  At  length  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley 
Strangeways  touched  a  bell,  which  seemed  as  though  its 
magic  sound  had  reverberated  through  that  solemn 
apartment  on  other  equally  interesting  occasions  than 
the  one  then  engaging  two  mature  minds.  It  was  some 
minutes  before  the  servant  entered,  when  Mr.  Strange- 
ways  explained  the  object  of  the  call,  viz.  :  to  inform 
Miss  Hamilton  that  he  waited  her  presence.  The  ser- 
vant retired,  and  soon  after  Miss  H.  appeared,  and  the 
usual  formality  of  an  introduction  took  place. 

The  writer  who  would  describe  a  favorite  character 


44 

as  faultless,  raises  another  at  tne  expense  01  himself, 
and  it  is  as  vain  for  the  moralist  to  look  for  perfection 
in  the  mind,  as  for  the  painter  to  find  it  in  the  body : 
in  fact,  the  sad  realities  of  life  give  us  no  great  cause 
to  be  proud  either  of  our  minds  or  of  our  bodies ;  but 
we  can  conceive  in  both  the  possibility  of  much  greater 
excellence  than  exists.  The  -statue  of  the  Belviclere 
Apollo  is  quite  as  likely  to  be  married,  as  he  who  will 
have  no  wife  until  he  can  discover  a  woman  that  equals 
the  Yenus  of  Cleomenes. 

But  Miss  Hamilton  was  as  lovely  and  as  amiable-look- 
ing as  most  young  ladies  of  the  present  day.  A  petite 
figure,  slightly  inclining  to  embonpoint,  noble,  high  fore- 
head, aquiline  nose,  large  black  eyes,  small  mouth,  and 
a  head  of  rich,  beautiful  black  hair,  flowing  in  wavy 
ringlets  on  her  well-formed  shoulders,  together  with  a 
graceful  dignity  of  deportment,  and  tout  ensemble,  went 
to  show  a  lady  of  ordinary  personal  charms ;  in  addi- 
tion to  which  she  was  possessed  of  good  conversational 
powers,  and  a  versatility  of  style  and  language  that 
would  suit  her  company ;  than  there  was  a  certain  vi- 
vacity of  manner  that  rendered  her  very  pleasing,  to  say 
the  least,  and  which  was  strikingly  contrasted  by  the 
mute  observer  to  whom  I  was  indebted  for  the  honor 
of  an  introduction ;  he  occasionally  venturing  a  casual 
remark  on  the  ordinary  topics,  in  an  edgeway  style. 
There  was  only  one  remarkable  feature  in  the  dress  of 
the  lady  that  seemed  to  me  to  be  somewhat  censurabla 
I  allude  to  the  wearing  of  ornaments — their  use  is 
humiliating.  It  seems  to  intimate  that  the  female  sex 
are  conscious  of  some  deficiency,  and  need  something 
extraneous  to  make  them  equal  and  acceptable  to  the 
other  sex ;  but,  "  it's  an  ill  wind  that  blows  naebody 
profit ; "  consequently,  trade  and  commerce  is  to  a  great 


45 

extent  benefited  by  their  little  weaknesses.  Yet  it  would 
be  a  blessing  if  this  seeming  defect  could  be  remedied 
in  extra  efforts  to  improve  the  mind,  cultivate  the  af- 
fections, and  sanctify  the  heart  I  was  at  some  loss,  in 
the  course  of  our  interview,  to  ascertain  what  character 
I  should  assume  in  the  presence  of  Miss  Hamilton.  I 
had  not  been  previously  made  aware  of  whether  I  was 
to  appear  in  the  form  of  a  suitor  or  merely  a  guest  for 
the  evening ;  but  my  mind  was  soon  set  at  ease  on  that 
point  by  a  rather  lucky  incident,  which  gave  Miss  H. 
and  I  an  opportunity  of  saying  a  few  words  of  agreeable 
import.  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways  had  been 
summoned  by  the  servant,  by  a  call  from  some  visitor 
who  had  rang  the  door-bell.  This,  unexpectedly,  gave 
Miss  H.  an  opportunity  of  asking  me  some  questions 
in  the  shape  of  interrogatories  ;  and  taking  advantage  of 
the  brief  absence  of  Mr.  Strangeways,  informed  me  that 
she  would  be  pleased  to  have  me  exchange  cards,  and 
also  that  she  would  be  pleased  to  have  me  write  to  her 
to  the  address  designated  on  the  card  (which  was  not 
on  Fifth  avenue).  I  promised  the  lady  I  would  have 
pleasure  in  so  doing.  She  assured  me,  that  from  the  high 
terms  in  which  Mr.  Strangeways  (her  guardian)  had 
spoken  of  me,  she  felt  a  certain  degree  of  confidence  that 
induced  her  to  present  me  with  that  token  of  respect, 
offering  her  card  and  accepting  mine. 

The  agreeable  tete-a-tete  lasted  for  a  reasonable 
length  of  time,  until  the  return  of  Mr,  Arthur  Tinsley 
Strangeways,  who  apologized  for  his  absence  and  the 
interruption,  by  stating  that  it  was  an  unexpected  sum- 
mons from  one  of  his  establishments,  and  would  require 
his  early  attention  on  the  following  day,  as  something 
of  an  unusual  character  had  occurred. 

The  conversation  then  branched  off  into  a  diversity  of 


40 

subjects,  without  treating  of  the  one  then  at  issue,  in 
introducing  me ;  but  I  set  this  down  as  a  veiy  diplo- 
matic course,  and  showed  mature  skill  on  his  part  in 
leaving  the  more  delicate  details  to  be  canied  out  by 
his  fair  charge  and  myself.  But  Miss  Hamilton  was 
not  as  aufait  in  manners  requiring  skillful  deploying 
as  her  guardian.  She  had  departed  from  the  compan- 
ionship of  prudence,  and  forgot  that  caution  was  as 
essential  in  the  attainment  of  the  object  she  was  then. 
in  pursuit  of,  as  the  possession  of  outward  charms. 
Ladies  do  not  transgress  the  bounds  of  decorum  so  of- 
ten as  men,  but  when  they  do,  they  go  greater  lengths. 
For  with  reasons  somewhat  weaker,  they  have  to 
contend  with  passions  somewhat  stronger;  besides,  a 
female  by  one  transgression  forfeits  her  place  in  society 
forever.  It  is  hard,  indeed,  that  the  law  of  opinion 
should  be  most  severe  on  that  sex  which  is  the  least 
able  to  bear  it ;  but  so  it  is,  and  if  the  sentence  be  harsh, 
the  sufferer  should  be  reminded  that  it  was  passed  by 
her  peers.  Therefore,  if  once  a  woman  breaks  through 
the  barriers  of  modesty,  her  case  is  desperate ;  and  if  she 
leaves  the  pale  of  propriety  behind  her,  it  is  because  she 
is  aware  that  all  return  is  prohibited,  and  by  none  sr 
strongly  as  by  her  own  sex. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

AT  NIBLO'S  BY  GAS-LIGHT — FOREST'S  OTHELLO— CLOTHILDE'S 
EMOTIONS — SCENES  IN  HKB  O"vn*  LOVE  DEPICTED— HEB 
CRITICISMS. 

The  usual  arrangements,  in  reference  to  my  subse- 
quent interview  with  Miss  Hamilton,  were  effected  by 
the  ordinary  process  known  to  the  readers  of  "  Per- 
sonals," and  having  the  lady's  card  of  address,  she 
availed  herself  of  an  invitation  sent  by  me  to  visit 
Niblo's  Theatre  on  the  following  evening  after  re- 
ceiving my  note.  I  accordingly  secured  good  seats  on 
the  second  tier  in  the  dress  circle  of  that  establishment, 
in  which  an  excellent  view  was  had ,  and  for  sometime 
during  the  performance  everything  went  along  as  well 
as  could  be  expected ;  yet  there  seemed  a  peculiar  un- 
easiness, coupled  with  a  dislike,  on  the  part  of  Miss 
Hamilton,  at  the  character  of  the  play  that  was  in 
course  of  performance  (which  was  deep  tragedy).  Miss 
H.  expressed  no  dislike  to  the  performers,  or  to  the 
characters  they  assumed,  but  to  the  play  only.  It  was 
Othello,  in  which  Mr.  Forest  so  well  sustained  the  char- 
acter of  the  jealous  Moor ;  and  to  such  a  hight  had 
Miss  EL  carried  her  aversion,  that  she  became  exceed- 
ingly nervous,  so  much  so,  that  it  was  absolutely  pain- 
ful to  her  to  remain,  and  she  expressed  a  desire  to  retire 
at  once  from  the  theatre,  which  culminated  at  that  par- 


48 

ticular  part  where  Mrs.  Farren  (who  performed  the 
part  of  Desdemona's  attendant),  or  rather  the  wife  of 
lago,  remonstrates  with  Othello,  for  his  unfounded  jeal- 
ousy of  Desdemona,  and  the  foul  aspersion  he  had  cast 
upon  his  wife's  honor.  At  that  passage  Miss  IT.  arose 
and  we  left  the  theatre.  On  reaching  the  hall  leading 
to  Broadway,  she  gave  way  to  emotion,  and  wept  quite 
freely,  at  which  I  was  somewhat  astonished,  and  came 
to  the  rash  conclusion  that  some  one  in  close  proximity 
to  where  we  sat  had  offered  her  insult ;  but  such  was 
not  the  fact,  the  circle  of  audience  surrounding  us  be- 
ing apparently  of  the  first  order.  I  endeavored  to  di- 
vine the  cause  of  the  unusual  proceeding,  and  was  as- 
sured by  her  that  is  was  only  a  violent  attack  of  head- 
ache, and  that  as  she  should  obtain  the  fresh  air  she 
would  be  somewhat  restored.  I  accepted  this  excuse 
as  a  truth,  until,  on  making  some  casual  allusion  to  the 
play,  she  expressed  a  great  aversion  to  the  character  of 
it,  and  a  dislike  generally  to  Shakspeare's  writings,  al- 
leging as  a  reason  that  his  language  was  not  refined, 
and  that  he  wrote  and  thought  corruptly  and  licen- 
tiously. There  were  moments  when  that  great  author 
thought  himself  no  poet,  yet  he  held  up  the  mirror  so 
close  to  nature  that  she  almost  blushed  crimson  at  his 
truths  written  in  such  plain  and  unmistakable  language, 
that  even  in  the  corrupt  age  in  which  he  lived,  he  found 
admirers  as  also  fault-finders. 

Miss  Hamilton  and  I  walked  some  little  distance  to 
a  neighboring  refectory,  where  she  enjoyed  some  sea- 
sonable fruits  and  confections,  and  we  occupied  the 
interval  in  discussing  the  previous  question,  that  lady 
assuming  the  negative,  and  I  the  affirmative,  the  argu- 
ment being  conducted  in  a  very  friendly  spirit,  each 
giving  way  to  conviction  as  opportunity  presented. 


49 

Miss  H.,  in  assuming  the  negative,  used  a  reasonable 
amount  of  logical  reasoning  in  her  endeavors  to  con- 
vince me  that  Shakspeare's  works  were  not  written  to 
advance  the  cause  of  morality ;  but  her  reasoning  lacked 
the  force  of  thought  necessary  to  sustain  her  point,  and 
it  was  evident  to  me  that  her  adverse  opinion  was  based 
upon  other  convictions,  a  chord  having  been  inadvert- 
ently touched  (at  the  juncture  in  the  performance  already 
alluded  to)  that  vibrated  through  the  inmost  recesses  of 
her  conscience.  Subsequent  events  established  that 
fact  fully.  I  assumed  that  Shakspeare's- resources  were 
exhaustless.  No  author  ever  excelled  him  in  his  por- 
trayal of  the  human  heart  He  knew  exactly  where 
human  nature  failed  in  obedience  to  the  divine  law, 
and  pointed  out  the  remedy  by  his  logical  deductions ; 
and  in  all  the  ebbings  and  Sowings  of  his  genius,  in 
his  storms,  no  less  than  in  his  calms,  he  is  completely 
separated  from  all  the  other  poets.  He  abounds  with, 
so  many  axioms  applicable  to  the  circumstances,  situa- 
tions, and  varieties  of  life,  that  they  are  no  longer  the 
property  of  the  poet,  but  of  the  world — all  apply,  but 
none  appropriate  them. 

Miss  Hamilton  became  very  communicative,  and  was 
indeed  pleased  with  my  conception  of  the  great  author, 
and  the  great  aim  he  had  in  view,  and  she  gradually 
gave  way  to  my  affirmative  argument  The  time  wore 
steadily  on,  and  after  the  seasonable  refreshment,  I 
escorted  her  to  her  home  (as  she  assured  me  it  was)  on 
Twenty-third  street,  near  Seventh  avenue,  and  left  her 
with  the  assurance  that  I  would  accept  an  invitation 
(she  then  extended  to  me)  to  visit  herself  and  Aunt, 
with  whom  she  was  then  living,  at  an  early  opportunity; 
and  with  that  understanding. I  bade  her  good  night. 


CHAPTER  X. 

MRS.   ARABELLA   GROVES    AT   HOME — HER   TEA    PARTY — A 
LITTLE  OP  HER  HISTORY. 

I  omitted  to  state  in  the  preceding  chapter  that  I 
was  introduced  by  Miss  Hamilton  to  her  Aunt,  Mrs. 
Groves  (on  the  evening  I  left  Miss  H.  at  her  house), 
when  I  apologized  in  the  usual  form  for  keeping  Miss 
H.  from  home  until  so  late  an  hour ;  but  the  kind  old 
lady  made  me  perfectly  at  ease,  assuring  me  that  it  was 
not  unseasonably  late,  reminding  me  that  the  last 
"buss"  had  not  passed  the  door.  The  good  motherly 
dame  was  au  fait  in  her  own  peculiar  way.  She  was 
one  who  had  an  agreeable  word  and  a  pleasant  smile, 
besides  an  open  countenance,  to  greet  her  guests,  who- 
ever they  might  be.  Mrs.  Groves  was  about  sixty-five 
years  of  age,  her  locks  silvered  by  time's  measuring 
hand ;  her  contour  was  that  of  a  true  gentlewoman  of 
the  olden  time ;  one  who  had  in  former  days  walked 
proudly  in  the  consciousness  of  right ;  whose  virtuous 
mind  had  exercised  its  sway  in  the  bosom  of  her  own 
family,  and  one  who  would  not  willingly  do  a  wrong  or 
suffer  an  injury  to  be  done  to  another,  if  she  could  pos- 
sibly prevent  it.  But  she  had  been  buffeted  by  the 
hand  of  adversity,  and  was  at  that  time  the  recipient  of 
a  yearly  stipend  that  enabled  her  to  live,  not  in  luxury 
and  ease,  but  frugally  and  in  comparative  comfort! 


51 

Mrs.  Groves  and  I  at  once  became  friends.  I  was  con- 
vinced that  a  rectitude  of  thought  and  right  had  not  for- 
saken her  in  her  advanced  years ;  the  good  open  coun- 
tenance portrayed  no  guile  therein,  and  no  selfish  end 
could  be  subserved  if  confided  to  her  to  enact  the  part 
of  particeps  criminus.  Her  estimation  of  me  was 
made  up  from  the  manner  in  which  I  had  been  eulogized 
or  spoken  favorably  of  by  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strange- 
ways,  for  the  reader  will  learn  that  Mrs.  Groves  claimed 
a  near  relationship  to  that  personage.  I  was  not  in- 
formed by  her  that  my  name  had  been  heralded  to  her 
previous  to  my  visit;  but  I  subsequently  learned 
that  she  knew  of  my  visiting  at  the  house  of  that 
gentleman,  and  also  of  the  nature  of  the  visit,  and  of 
the  part  laid  down  for  her,  in  which  she  was  to  per- 
form a  conspicuous  rola 

The  conversation  on  that  evening  partook  of  the  ordi- 
nary topics  and  incidents  of  every-day  life  ;  and  nothing 
occurred  between  Mrs.  Groves,  Miss  Hamilton  or  myself, 
except  an  earnest  solicitation  on  the  part  of  Mrs.  G. 
that  I  should  see  her  at  all  hazards,  to  use  her  own  ex- 
pression, at  an  early  opportunity,  as  she  had  something 
to  impart  to  me  that  was  of  the  most  vital  import ,  and 
with  an  additional  earnestness  of  manner  enjoined  me 
to  confide  in  her  as  my  friend.  This  was  all  a  side 
scene,  enacted  during  the  temporary  absence  of  Miss 
Hamilton,  and  in  such  an  undertone  that  it  was  apparent 
I  was  receiving  the  advice  of  a  true  friend,  and  I  should 
be  reticent,  at  least  for  a  time,  and  await  the  culmina- 
tion of  future  events.  In  a  somewhat  different  tone  (as 
Miss  Hamilton  drew  near)  I  received  a  kind  invitation 
from  Mrs.  Groves  to  "  call  again."  I  gave  assurance 
that  I  would  avail  myself  of  her  kindness,  and  respect- 
fully retired,  leaving  the  good  old  lady  and  adopted 


52 

niece  to  their  own  reflections,  and  I  to  repair  to  my 
peaceful ' lodgings,  "two  pair  front  with  modern  im- 
provements," in  a  quiet  mansion  on  Fourth  streety 
where  the  comforts  of  a  home  were  supposed  to  be 
thrown  in,  night  key  included. 

About  ten  days  after  I  received  the  invitation  from 
Mrs.  Groves,  I  called  upon  that  lady  at  her  residence 
on  Twenty-third  street  I  was  very  cordially  welcomed 
by  her,  and  all  the  hospitality  that  one  honest  heart 
could  extend  to  another,  seemed  to  have  been  stored 
.by  her  for  this  particular  occasion.  The  hour  was 
about  five-thirty,  P.M.,  as  I  had  intended  to  make  a  tem- 
porary call,  and  then  to  visit  a  theatre,  for  which  I  had 
a  complimentary  ticket  presented  to  me  on  that  day.  I 
was  agreeably  disappointed  on  finding  that  Miss  Ham- 
ilton was  not  at  home,  as  the  circumstances  led  me  to 
suppose  that  the  secret  (if  any  there  was)  would  afford 
Mrs.  Groves  an  opportunity  of  imparting  the  whole 
truth,  to  her  great  relief  and  my  great  benefit 

I  learned  that  Miss  Hamilton  had  accepted  an  invita- 
tion to  visit  a  sewing  circle  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
would  not  be  home  in  time  for  supper.  Although  I 
did  not  doubt  for  a  moment  the  truth  of  the  good 
dame's  statement  respecting  her  niece's  laudable  em- 
ployment at  the  sewing  circle,  still  I  was  inclined  to  the 
belief  that  it  was  delicate  fancy-work,  in  the  circle  of 
the  fancy  basket  at  Fifth  avenue,  that  she  was  finishing 
or  engaged  in.  After  a  lapse  of  half  an  hour  or  so, 
.  spent  in  a  very  agreeable  conversation  with  her,  I  was 
kindly  invited  to  supper,  to  which  I  respectfully  as- 
sented, and  in  due  course  the  tinkling  sound  of  a  bell 
announced  that  the  evening  meal  was  ready  and  wait- 
ing our  pleasure  of  acceptance.  I  was  conducted  by 
my  good  silver-haired  friend  to  the  tea-table.  I  men- 


53 

tion  silver-haired  not  in  an  ironical  sense;  I  regard 
them  in  any  one  with  the  profoundest  respect,  but  more 
particularly  when  worn  by  a  lady;  they  indicate  that 
something  akin  to  reverence  should  be  accorded  to 
those  wearing  them.  I  never  see  a  lady  or  gentleman 
so  adorned  that  I  do  not  accord  to  them  more  than  ordi- 
nary deference. 

There  were  chairs  arrayed  at  the  table  for  six  per- 
sons, as  I  was  informed  by  Mrs,  Groves  that  her  large 
house  afforded  her  ample  room  to  accommodate  a  gen- 
tleman, wife,  and  child  of  ten  years,  a  little  girl,  who 
were  then  boarding  with  her ;  besides  Mrs.  Gr's  adopted 
niece,  herself,  and  a  faithful  domestic,  this  comprised 
the  whole  family.  The  gentleman,  to  whom  I  was  form- 
ally introduced,  as  also  to  his  lady,  was  a  stock-broker, 
engaged  in  that  laudable  business  in  Broad  street, 
and  paid  a  very  liberal  compensation  for  the  apart- 
ments occupied  by  himself,  lady,  and  child.  It  may 
not  be  out  of  place  to  give  a  brief  description  of  the 
circle.  His  lady,  the  pink  of  politeness,  bordering  on  old 
maidish  prudery ;  the  gentleman  wore  a  quizzing  glass 
suspended  by  a  silk  cord,  which  so  distorted  his  fea- 
tures that  when  his  glances  were  directed  at  you  it  came 
from  the  orb  which  was  not  so  obstructed,  and  the  im- 
perfect one  borrowed  so  much  sympathy  from  it  that 
it  was  a  great  relief  to  one's  own  eyesight  not  to  observe 
his  efforts  to  see,  or  his  snobbish  airs  of  affectation, 
which  his  lady  endeavored  to  imitate  to  a  certain 
extent  The  little  girl  had  an  imperfection  in  her  hip- 
joint,  and  was  obliged  to  use  crutches ;  when  assisted 
by  the  waiting-maid,  she  was  placed  directly  opposite  to 
where  I  sat  She  was  doubly  afflicted,  so  to  speak; 
both  her  eyes,  when  directed  toward  an  object,  looked 
directly  across  her  nasal  organ,  so  that  her  malady,  if 


54 

it  might  be  so  termed,  was  inherited,  as  we  suppose, 
from  her  parent.  The  trio  seemed  to  regret  the  ab- 
sence of  Miss  Hamilton,  which  was  a  goodly  evidence 
that  she  was  a  general  favorite  in  the  family  circla 
When  the  usual  topics  of  conversation  were  exhausted, 
and  the  repast  dispensed  by  the  hospitable  matron,  Mrs. 
Groves,  the  young  squinter  asked  to  be  excused,  and 
in  her  hurried  desire  to  retire  she  caught  her  spoon, 
which  was  standing  in  her  cup,  in  the  sleeve  of  her 
dress,  and  upset  it,  to  the  evident  chagrin  of  my  right 
bower,  Mrs.  G. — the  cause  of  her  sudden  retirement  be- 
fore her  parents  was  occasioned  by  an  over  indulgence 
in  ice  cream,  demolished  too  hastily.  However,  the 
faithful  domestic  attendant  restored  her  to  convales- 
cence, much  to  the  relief  of  my  friend  Mrs.  G.  and  my- 
self 

Society,  like  a  shaded  silk,  has  to  be  viewed  in  all  sit- 
uations, or  its  color  will  deceive  us ;  "  in  fact,  if  you  wish 
not  to  know  mankind,  vegetate  in  a  village ;  but  if  you 
desire  to  study  human  nature,  live  in  a  city  like 
Gotham,"  and  particularly  up  town  in  a  brown  stone 
front 


CHAPTER  XL 

MBS.  GBOVES'  HOUSEHOLD — A  REYIEW  OP  FAMILY  HIBTOBY — 
SHE  DETAILS  CLOTHILDE'S  LIFE-TRIALS  AND  JOYS. 

As  before  stated,  Mrs.  Arabella  Groves  was  living  on 
a  yearly  annuity  derived  from  some  property,  left  by 
her  deceased  husband,  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  was 
partially  under  the  control  or  guardianship  of  Mr. 
Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways,  and  which  he  held  in 
trust  for  the  legatee.  Mrs.  Groves  being  a  frugal  and 
industrious  spirit,  believing  in  the  maxim  of  self-de- 
pendence, turned  every  means  she  possessed  to  a  good 
account.  She  lived  in  a  style  of  becoming  respecta- 
bility, without  pretending  to  be  classed  in  the  school  of 
upper-tendom.  Her  commodious  dwelling  afforded 
ample  accommodation  for  all  her  household  wants, 
with  plenty  of  room  to  spare ;  and  with  a  view  of  living 
within  the  bounds  of  her  patrimony,  she  concluded  to 
meet  the  growing  wants  of  our  community,  by  receiv- 
ing into  her  family  a  portion  of  that  aristocratic  society 
who  are  prohibited  from  Fifth  avenue  circles,  and  who 
invariably  advertise  for  select  board,  "in  a  quiet  family 
up  town,  where  there  are  no  other  boarders,  and  where 
the  comforts  of  home  may  be  enjoyed."  Mrs.  Groves 
was  singularly  successful  in  her  selection  of  a  family  of 
the  latter  class,  who  paid  her  quite  liberally  for  the  use 
of  a  suite  of  rooms,  with  board.  The  family,  when 


56 

formed  into  the  domestic  circle,  consisted  of  Mrs. 
Groves,  her  adopted  niece  Miss  Hamilton,  Mr.  Little- 
worth,  Lady,  and  a  little  Miss,  his  daughter,  about  ten 
years  old,  two  domestics,  one  a  cook,  and  the  other  a 
waiting-maid.  During  the  temporary  absence  of  Mr. 
Littleworth  at  his  office  down  town,  (Broad  street 
broker)  his  good  lady,  Mrs.  L.,  was  found  to  be  as  com- 
panionable as  most  ladies  of  her  class  are  found  to  be. 
She  possessed  some  eccentricities,  of  course,  as  all  per- 
sons do  in  a  greater  or  less  degree ;  yet  she  found  a 
very  agreeable  companionship  with  Miss  Hamilton, 
from  the  fact  that  she  was  a  fine  performer  on  the  piano- 
forte, besides  being  in  possession  of  the  ordinary  accom- 
plishments of  the  day. 

Society  would  be  in  some  measure  incomplete  if 
such  a  variety  of  contrasts  did  not  present  themselves 
for  our  inspection.  The  very  best  way  for  one  in  the 
pursuit  of  a  knowledge  of  such  society  as  are  aspiring  to 
the  le  beau  monde,  is  to  find  a  suite  of  rooms  in  an  English 
basement,  three  or  four  story  house,  up  town,  "where 
there  are  no  other  boarders;"  sometimes  is  added, 
"where  the  comforts  of  home  may  be  enjoyed."  It  will 
not  require  a  microscopic  power  of  intellectual  vision 
to  learn  this  character  of  society  le  savoir  viore. 

Mrs.  Groves  having  been  informed  by  Mr.  Arthur 
Tinsley  Strangeways  that  I  was  a  suitor  for  the  hand 
of  her  niece  (whom  I  then  learned  was  adopted  only), 
she  expressed  her  approbation  of  the  selection  he  had 
made ;  but  by  a  series  of  unmistakable  innuendoes,  which 
she  very  delicately  introduced,  informed  me  that  I  was 
one  of  three  whom  she  had  learned  of;  but  as  a  con- 
vincing proof  that  she  regarded  me  worthy  of  the  confi- 
dence she  was  then  about  to  repose  in  me,  she  would 
give  me  an  outline  of  the  history  of  her  early  life,  and 


57 

also  would  confide  to  me  the  particulars  of  a  secret,  of 
which  she  supposed  I  had  been  previously  made  aware. 
I  nodded  in  an  affirmative  sense,  and  in  such  an  am- 
biguous manner,  that  she  at  once  concluded  that  the 
very  delicate  subject  relating  to  her  adopted  niece,  Miss 
Hamilton,  had  been  confided  to  me.  It  is  proper  for 
me  to  say  that  no  secret,  or  even  a  semblance  of  one, 
relating  to  the  cause,  or  the  extraordinary  confidence 
that  was  supposed  to  exist  between  Miss  Hamilton,  Mr. 
Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways,  and  myself  was  imparted 
to  me ;  and  up  to  that  moment  my  optics  and  my  un- 
derstanding were  partially  at  fault  in  the  matter.  The 
good  old  lady  did  me  an  act  of  injustice  (unconsciously, 
I  believe)  to  suppose  that  I  was  intriguing  with  her  re- 
lative, Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways,  to  consummate 
that  which  would  rid  him  of  a  very  precarious  charge, 
besides  relieving  him  of  a  certain  amount  of  odium 
which  was,  however  justly  or  unjustly,  imputed  to  him. 
"  Marie  ton  fils  quand  tu  voudras,  mats  ta  fille  quand  tu 
pour  r  as." 

Mrs.  Groves,  in  that  cheerful  suavity  of  manner  and 
enthusiastic  hospitality  of  her  nature,  so  proverbial  to 
the  Irish  heart,  was  in  a  mood  to  unbosom  herself  of  all 
of  her  sorrows  and  all  of  her  joys,  and  continued  the 
narration  of  her  early  life,  occasionally  calling  my  atten- 
tion to  different  little  episodes,  in  which  I  was  supposed 
to  somewhat  sympathize. 

There  is  a  certain  aristocratic  pride  in  family  names, 
in  the  four  provinces  of  Ireland ;  each  province  reli- 
giously preserving  the  traditional  character  of  their  race 
and  name,  and  the  seat  from  which  they  sprung.  Mrs. 
Groves  was  true  to  this  characteristic,  and  felt  proud, 
as  she  said,  in  being  the  daughter  of  a  Blenerhassett, 
and  her  birth-place  the  county  of  Tyrone,  near  Strabane ; 


58 

and  she  further  boastingly  informed  me  that  her  ances- 
tors did  not  in  any  way  participate  in  the  battle  of  the 
Boyne,  and  did  not  inherit  any  of  her  property  from 
any  emissary  of  the  British  government  (for  in  those 
days,  as  well  as  at  the  present,  titles  and  lands  were 
freely  bestowed  by  the  crown  on  those  who  aided  in 
sowing  the  seeds  of  dissension  among  the  sects,  and  es- 
pousing the  cause  of  Royalty). 

I  have  diverged  a  little  to  give  the  reader  some  idea 
of  the  condition  of  that  unhappy  Island,  from  one  who 
vouches  for  the  truth  of  what  he  writes1 

"  The  landed  system  of  the  north  of  Ireland  is  very  peculiar, 
and,  to  understand  it  thoroughly,  a  knowledge  of  the  times  pre- 
ceding and  following  upon  the  plantation  of  Ulster,  is  indispensa- 
ble. Whoever  undertakes  to  trace  historically  the  events  which 
produced  it,  ought  to  begin  at  Derry,  for  Deny  was  the  first  of  the 
six  counties  confiscated  to  James  I.,  in  which  the  plantation  by 
English  colonists  of  the  escheated  lands  was  undertaken.  It  is  a 
fact  which  can  not  be  disguised,  that  from  the  first  settlement  of 
the  English  in  Ireland,  their  leading  idea  was  how  to  obtain 
possession  of  the  soil.  Elizabeth  had  long  looked  with  wistful 
eyes  toward  the  rich  plains  of  Ulster,  and  was  anxious,  no 
doubt,  to  reward  her  servants  and  retainers  with  these  lunds. 
Her  troops,  during  a  great  part  of  her  reign,  were  engaged  in 
reducing  the  refractory  Irish  chieftains  to  submission,  and  in 
parceling  out  the'  lands  of  the  old  population  to  English  and 
Scotch  adventurers.  In  the  south,  her  arms  were  partially  suc- 
cessful, but  in  Ulster  they  made  little  progress,  owing  to  the 
formidable  resistance  they  received  from  the  warlike  chieftains 
of  the  north.  The  two  attempts  made  during  the  reign  to  col- 
onize Ulster  were  signal  failures.  Her  successor  was  more  for- 
tunate. The  fruits  of  her  conquest  of  Ireland  fell  to  the  lot  of 
James,  and  this  circumstance,  together  with  one  or  two  other 
incidents,  equally  fortunate  and  adventitious,  enabled  him  to 
succeed  where  his  wiser  and  more  accomplished  predecessor 
failed.  By  the  flight  of  the  earls,  James  had  an  opportunity  of 
introducing  what  he  called  "  English  law  and  civility  "  into  no 


less  than  six  counties  of  Ulster.  These  were  Tyrone,  Fermanagh, 
Deny,  Donegal,  Cavan,  and  Antrim.  Half  a  million  of  acres 
were  thus  escheated  to  the  crown,  and,  in  one  fell  swoop,  the 
simple,  unoffending  people  who  had  lived  and  toiled  on  these, 
lands,  were  banished  forever  from"  the  homes  of  their  fathers. 

James  next  conceived  the  idea  that  the  body  best  qualified 
to  undertake  the  plantation  of  Ulster  was  the  corporation  of 
the  city  of  London.  These  civic  functionaries  being  spoken  to 
on  the  subject,  were  not  backward  in  availing  themselves  of  the 
King's  offer,  particularly  so,  as  they  foresaw  that  it  was  likely  to 
benefit  themselves.  Accordingly,  an  order  was  drawn  up  by  the 
King,  making  over  nearly  the  entire  county  of  Londonderry  to 
twelve  London  companies,  and  these  twelve  London  companies 
are  in  possession  of  the  best  part  ot  the  county  of  Londonderry 
to  this  day.  In  fact,  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  entire  lands  of 
the  county  are  in  the  possession  of  lay  and  ecclesiastical  corpo- 
rations. Eight  of  the  London  companies  are  in  possession  of  no 
less  than  250,000  acres,  while  the  Archbishop  of  Armagh,  and 
the  Bishop  of  Derry,  hold  broad  acres,  not  including  the  glebe 
lands.  The  rental  of  the  church  lands  is  about  £20,000  per  an- 
num, and  the  rental  of  the  companies  exceeds  £100,000,  not  in- 
cluding the  four  freehold  properties.  Though  the  injustice  of 
the  great  plantation  can  not  be  defended,  it  must  be  said,  to 
James'  credit,  that  he  did  not  undertake  it  through  any  consid- 
eration of  personal  interest.  His  object  was  to  introduce  Eng- 
lish civilization  into  Ulster,  and  to  place  upon  the  lands  a  peace- 
ful and  industrious  population.  "When,  afterward,  he  found 
that  the  companies  had  failed  to  fulfil  the  conditions  implied  in 
the  grant  he  theatened  to  dispossess  them,  a  fact  that  clearly 
proves  that  he  did  not  bestow  these  lands  as  a  favor,  but  for  a 
useful  and  important  purpose.  It  is,  perhaps,  superfluous  for 
me  to  say  that  the  original  conditions  have  never  been  fulfilled, 
nor  is  it  at  all  likely  that  they  ever  will. 

So  much  of  the  land  being  in  the  hands  of  these  corporations, 
there  are  comptiratively  few  landed  proprietors  in  Londonderry. 
Some  of  these  have  the  reputation  of  being  excellent  landlords, 
and  others  have  a  reputation  quite  the  reverse.  There  are,  I 
find,  a  few  of  the  landed  proprietors  in  this  county  who  still 
fully  recognize  the  custom  of  tenant-right.  A  large  proportion 
of  them,  however,  during  the  last  twenty  years,  have  made  en- 


60 

croachments  upon  it,  while  others  have  abolished  it  altogether. 
Upon  the  estates  of  the  Marquis  of  Waterford,  and  Lord  Tem- 
plemore,  tenant-right  is  practically  enforced.  The  tenants  on 
these  properties  are  very  happy  and  very  prosperous,  so  much 
so,  indeed,  that  those  on  the  former  estate  have  offered,  to  n 
man,  to  buy  their  farms  from  the  landlord,  who  is  about  to  dis- 
pose of  his  property  in  this  county.  The  second  class  of  land- 
lords mentioned  above,  encroach  upon  the  tenant-right  in  this 
way :  If  a  tenant  wishes  to  sell  his  farm,  the  first  step  he  must 
take  in  that  direction  is  to  acqauiut  the  agent  of  his  intention. 
The  agent  assumes  to  himself  the  right  of  accepting  or  refusing, 
as  the  case  may  be,  any  person  who  wishes  to  purchase  the 
farm.  If  his  political  principles,  for  example,  do  not  coincide 
with  those  of  the  owner  of  the  property,  he  is  unconditionally 
set  aside,  even  though  he  may  be  disposed  to  give  a  larger  sum 
to  the  outgoing  tenant  than  any  others  of  the  competitors. 
Again,  it  is  not  an  unusual  thing  for  the  agent  to  fix  the  price 
to  be  paid  to  the  outgoing  tenant,  and  thus  he  is  not  unfre- 
quently  debarred  from  receiving  fair  or  reasonable  value  for  his 
interest  in  the  soil.  The  practice  is  now  also  becoming  very  pre- 
valent of  raising  the  rents  upon  the  expiration  of  leases,  and  on 
a  few  estates  in  Londonderry  I  heard  that  the  rents  were  raised 
two,  three,  and  even  four  times.  The  third  class  of  landlords, 
or  those  who  recognize  no  system  of  tenant-right,  are,  happily, 
few  in  this  county.  There  is,  however,  one  notable  instance  of 
this  kind,  which  I  think  is  too  flagrant  to  be  passed  over.  The 
proprietor  to  whom  I  refer  is  a  justice  of  the  peace,  a  deputy 
lieutenant,  and  at  one  time  was  high  sheriff  of  this  county. 
Some  few  years  ago  he  purchased  an  estate.  Upon  that  estate, 
among  others,  were  two  tenants,  whose  annual  rental  was  £9 
and  £13  15s.  The  rents  were  raised,  I  believe,  two  or  three 
times,  and  now  they  are  respectively  £22  10s.  and  £32  10s.,  or 
more  than  double  the  government  valuation.  At  the  time  he 
came  upon  the  estate,  the  landlord's  anuual  rental  was  £1,600, 
and  now,  by  degrees,  it  has  mounted  up  to  £2,200." 

George  Blennerhassett,  her  father,  was  the  owner  of 
the  extensive  domain  and  family  mansion  called 
Ballyrowan  House.  Though  reared  in  the  lap  of  luxury, 


61 

her  young  footsteps  were  taught  to  tread  in  the  paths 
of  righteousness  and  virtue ;  and  the  beauties  of  truth  and 
honor,  inculcated  in  the  minds  of  herself  and  sister  in 
the  loved  home,  of  which  she  then  spoke  with  a  certain 
air  of  pride,  that  betokened  how  highly  she  appreciated 
these  sterling  principles.  Mr.  Gregory  Groves,  her 
husband,  was  also  a  landed  proprietor,  and  one  of  that 
aristocratic  class  who  enjoyed  the  luxuries  of  life ;  dis- 
playing that  disregard  of  all  the  coarser  pursuits,  and 
who  left  the  control  and  management  of  his  estate  to  an 
agent,  named  George  Hamilton,  who  resided  on  the  lands, 
and  who  was,  in  fact,  regarded  as  much  as  the  owner  by 
the  tenantry,  from  the  fact  that  he  granted  new  leases 
at  the  expiration  of  the  old  ones,  and  received  the 
rents.  He  was  a  man  of  an  amiable  disposition,  and 
his  wife,  and  daughter,  Miss  Clothilde,  were  beloved  by 
all  the  neighboring  families,  and  little  Clothilde  was 
recognized  as  a  daughter  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Groves. 
By  one  of  those  inscrutable  dispensations  of  Divine 
Providence,  her  father,  George  Hamilton,  was  killed 
at  one  of  those  steeple  chases  held  in  that  part  of  the 
country,  and  little  Clothilde  was  left,  at  the  age  of  ten 
years,  without  that  parental  protection  so  essential  to 
her  future  advancement  in  life.  He,  Mr.  Hamilton, 
left  no  property,  or  other  evidence  of  frugal  thrift,  that 
would  secure  to  his  widow  and  only  child  protec- 
tion from  the  asperities  of  a  cold  world.  Yet,  she  was 
blessed  with  a  good  mother,  who  early  in  life  was 
impressed  with  the  beauties  of  eternal  life,  and  re- 
garded the  world,  here  on  earth,  as  transitory  only ;  and 
who  endeavored  to  instill  into  her  daughter's  young 
mind  those  truths  that  would  enable  her  to  contend 
with  it,  and  be  a  safeguard  to  her  in  her  after  career.  In 
less  than  a  year  of  her  widowhood,  Mrs.  Hamilton  was 


62 

stricken  down  with  that  most  insidious  of  all  diseases, 
consumption,  the  seeds  of  which  were  so  firmly  ingrafted 
in  her  system,  that  all  efforts  to  afford  her  permanent 
relief  were  unavailing,  and  in  her  then  forty -fifth  year 
she  gave  up  her  life  to  Him  who  gave  it 

Little  Clothilde  was  then  entering  on  her  eleventh, 
year,  a  helpless  orphan,  without  a  sisterhood  of  affection 
to  guide  or  direct  her  young  intellect.  Her  youth,  and 
the  singular  helpless  affliction  of  her  situation,  rendered 
her  an  object  of  the  deepest  commiseration.  The  close 
proximity  of  her  residence  to  that  of  Ballyrowan 
House,  coupled  with  the  fact  that  for  many  years  her 
father  had  been  the  -confidential  agent  and  adviser  of 
Squire  Gregory  Groves,  seemed  to  point  out  to  that 
good  landlord  an  additional  evidence  of  the  wisdom 
of  the  Divine  Giver,  that  none  was  so  well  fitted  as  he 
to  take  charge  of  the  homeless  child.  Another  con- 
vincing proof  of  Divine  Wisdom  (if  any  were  wanting) 
was  had  in  the  fact  that  the  mansion  of  Gregory 
Groves  had  not  been  gifted  with  parental  blessings,  and 
now  an  opportunity  offered  the  good  couple  to  adorn 
their  household,  and  relieve  the  mansion  of  much  of 
its  dull  monotony,  besides  affording  a  cheerful  com- 
panionship to  Mrs.  Groves.  A  resident  tutor  was  pro- 
vided from  Dublin,  who  was  thoroughly  proficient  in 
all  the  higher  branches  of  education,  and  no  pains  or 
expense  was  spared  by  Squire  Groves  and  his  lady 
to  accomplish  all  that  was  desired  in  the  direction  of 
establishing  their  young  charge  in  all  the  requirements 
of  a  superior  and  refined  education.  Miss  Hamilton 
grew  up  to  regard  her  newly -adopted  parents  with 
affection,  as  was  evidenced  in  the  rapid  advancement 
she  made  in  the  finer  branches  of  study.  Nor  were 
the  principles  of  religion  forgotten,  but  were  assidu- 


63 

ously  sought  and  attended  to,  her  good  adopted 
mother,  Mrs.  Groves,  being  a  rigid  disciplinarian  in 
that  particular. 


CHAPTER  XIL 

SQUIRE  GREGOET  GROVES,  OF  BALLYROWAN  HOUSE,  EMIGRATES 
TO  NEW  YORK  AT  STRANGEWAYS'  SOLICITATION — LOST  AT 
SEA — THE  WIDOW  AND  CLOTHILDE  SAVED 

Years  rolled  on  in  the  happy  home  of  Balljrowan. 
Little  Clothilde  was  rapidly  advancing  in  all  her  studies 
and  accomplishments ;  in  addition  to  which,  her  age 
was  ripening  in  that  degree  which  indicates  the  pro- 
gressive step  from  girlish  joys  to  the  more  hopeful  era 
of  womanhood. 

It  is  said  that  affliction  seldom  comes  singly.  The 
style  of  living  with  the  landed  gentry  of  Ireland  was 
such,  that  all  the  productions  of  the  land,  and  the  con- 
tinuous drain  upon  the  dependent  tenant  by  the 
middlemen,  were  insufficient  to  meet  the  style  of  ex- 
travagance resorted  to  by  the  owners  of  the  soil,  and 
as  a  consequence,  the  lands  of  many  of  the  landed 
proprietors  were  mortgaged  to  meet  the  excessive 
demands  necessary  to  keep  pace  with  the  hunt  and  the 
pack.  The  "  meet "  being  regularly  held  in  different 
sections  of  the  county  once  a  month,  it  was  noted  as 
a  great  dereliction  of  duty,  in  fact,  dishonorable  on  the 
part  of  any  member,  if  he  failed  to  put  in  an  appear- 
ance with  the  hounds.  "  These  good  old  times  could 
not  last  always,"  as  Mr.  Groves  remarked,  and  each 
year,  as  the  spring  time  would  come,  and  the  emigrant 


65 

vessel  -would  appear  in  the  port,  bringing  with  it  glad 
tidings  from  the  friends  in  free  America,  the  bone  and 
sinew  of  the  county  would  join  hands  together,  and 
with  the  aid  of  the  little  store  saved  by  the  brother  or 
sister,  transmitted  through  Tapscotts,  they  sought  the 
hospitality  of  a  government,  and  a  home  that  was  denied 
to  them  in  the  land  of  their  birth.  Squire  Gregory 
Groves'  lands  were  every  day  depreciating  in  value, 
as  a  consequence  of  the  exodus  and  misgovern- 
ment,  until  finally  he  became  a  bankrupt  The  lands 
were  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  encumbered  estates 
commission,  and  such  dividends  as  that  gigantic  swin- 
dle would  award  to  the  owner,  he  was  compelled  to  be 
satisfied  with.  It  was  the  law  of  the  realm,  and  no 
exception  could  be  taken,  or  appeal  made,  except 
through  the  tedious  process  of  appeal  TO  parliament 

About  this  time  there  appeared  on  the  scene  Mr. 
Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways.  It  was  at  that  season  of 
the  year  when  he  made  his  annual  visits  to  purchase 
his  stock  of  merchandise  in  a  neighboring  province. 
His  reputation  as  a  successful  New  York  merchant 
being  widely  known  throughout  Ireland,  but  more 
particularly  in  the  north,  his  society  was  eagerly 
sought  by  the  aristocracy,  besides  those  who  were  not ; 
and  on  this  particular  occasion  his  visit  to  the  mansion 
of  Ballyrowan  was  regarded  as  a  very  providential 
circumstance,  inasmuch  as  an  opportunity  was  pre- 
sented to  the  philanthropist  to  open  his  purse  to  the 
needy  Squire,  Gregory  Groves.  Subsequent  events 
established  in  the  minds  of  the  neighbors  the  fact 
that  the  advent  of  the  great  New  York  merchant, 
Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways,  would  be  a  great  and  last- 
ing event  in  the  family  of  Squire  Groves.  The  time 

was  fast  approaching  when  that  good  gentleman  would 
9 


66 

have  to  relinquish  his  hold  on  the  broad  acres  of  Bally- 
rowan  ;  when  he  would  have  to  find  a  new  home  and  a 
different  field  of  industry.  The  relationship  existing 
between  Mrs.  Groves  and  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strange- 
ways,  was  that  of  near  blood  on  the  part  of  Mrs. 
Groves'  mother,  so  that  his  constant  visits  at  Bally- 
rowan,  during  his  stay  in  the  county  of  Tyrone,  were 
not  regarded  in  any  other  light  than  the  ordinary  visits 
of  one  relative  to  another ;  and 'more  particularly  so,  as 
the  Squire,  Gregory  Groves,  was  noted  all  over  the 
county  for  his  hospitality  to  all  who  came  within  the 
precincts  of  his  mansion.  And  then  again,  the 
embarrassed  situation  of  the  Squire  was  an  additional 
incentive,  as  was  supposed,  to  the  great  New  York 
philanthropist  to  display  the  quality  of  his  sympathy 
in  so  deserving  a  quarter.  As  an  evidence  of  such 
an  intent  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Arthur  Tinsley  Strange- 
ways,  it  was  finally  agreed  between  Mr.  Groves  and 
his  friend,  Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways,  that  a  good 
home  and  opportunity  presented  itself  to  the  Squire, 
his  lady,  and  adopted  daughter,  Miss  Hamilton,  to  visit 
New  York,  where,  in  that  great  mart  of  the  world,  in 
which  he  had  been  so  successful,  and  had  attained  the 
proud  position  of  a  leading  merchant,  that  the  same 
advantages  were  open  to  all  new-comers.  Had  Squire 
Gregory  embraced  that  opportunity,  it  might  have  been 
the  turning  point  in  the  life  of  the  heroine  of  these 
pages,  but  it  was  ordained  otherwise  ;  the  offer  was  not 
embraced  at  that  time,  and  the  ordinary  state  of  affairs 
continued  at  Ballyrowan  House  as  usual,  so  long  as  the 
means  extended  by  the  encumbered  estates  commission 
lasted.  It  was  finally  resolved  upon  by  Arthur  Tins- 
ley  Strangeways,  the  year  following,  that  he  would 
extend  to  Squire  Gregory  Groves  an  offer  of  rernunera- 


67 

tive  employment ;  and  from  the  fact  of  the  Squire  l)eing 
a  man  of  good  legal  attainments,  having  been  educated 
in  that  profession  in  his  youth,  he  could,  or  would,  be  a 
valuable  acquisition  in  one  of  his  establishments.  The 
offer  was  very  acceptable,  and  came  from  New  York  to 
Ballyrowan  House  almost  on  the  eve  of  the  expiration 
of  the  time  allowed  to  give  up  possession  of  the  land. 
The  family  of  Squire  Groves  having  made  all  the 
preliminary  arrangements  for  their  transatlantic  voy- 
age, set  sail, from  Liverpool  in  the  ill-fated  steamer 
Arctic,  (Capt  Luce).  The  fate  of  that  steamer  was 
truly  a  melancholy  one.  Freighted  with  several  hun- 
dred human  souls,  she  was  wrecked  off  Cape  Eace, 
Sept  27,  1854,  while  on  her  homeward  voyage  from 
Liverpool,  during  a  dense  fog.  She  came  in  collision 
with  the  French  iron  propeller  Vesta,  and  was  so  badly 
injured,  that  in  about  five  hours  she  sank  stern  fore- 
most Three  hundred  passengers  are  supposed  to  have 
.  perished,  and  among  the  passengers  who  were  lost,  was 
the  generous-hearted  Squire  Groves.  Struggling  with 
the  waves  of  the  all-devouring  element,  he  sank  almost 
in  the  sight  of  his  beloved  wife  and  adopted  child. 

Among  the  saved  were  Mrs.  Groves  and  Clothilde 
Hamilton,  who  reached  New  York  in  safety,  and  were 
at  once  domiciled  and  cared  for  at  the  house  of  Arthur 
Tinsley  Strangeways.  For  months,  the  good  lady, 
Mrs.  Groves,  was  prostrated  by  the  deep  and  melancholy 
affliction  in  the  loss  of  the  beloved  partner  of  her  early 
days,  and  the  additional  affliction  (if  it  might  be  so 
styled)  of  the  charge  of  a  young  and  interesting  orphan 
child,  and  without  a  home.  Yet,  the  good  dame  had 
always  put  her  trust  in  Him  who  is  the  Ruler  of  all 
our  destinies.  No  murmur  ever  escaped  the  lips  of  her 
who  was  firm  in  the  belief  that  "  He  doeth  all  thinjrs 


well."  After  months  of  patient  nursing  and  care,  she 
was  fully  restored  to  her  wonted  vigor,  and  she  imme- 
diately set  about  to  inaugurate  a  new  sphere  of  usefulness 
for  herself,  scorning  to  be  the  recipient  of  bounty,  pecu- 
niary or  otherwise,  from  any  relative.  By  an  indomit- 
able spirit  of  industry,  she  at  once  possessed  herself  of 
a  home,  where  she  exercised  those  qualities  of  head 
and  heart  that  won  for  her  the  esteem  of  a  large  circle 
of  sterling  friends,  and  by  which  she  was  enabled  to 
live  and  support  her  fair  charge  and  herself  in  compara- 
tive ease  and  comfort  In  such  a  situation  the  writer 
of  these  pages  found  her,  and  partook  of  her  hospi- 
tality at  her  home  on  Twenty-third  street,  as  previously 
stated. 


CHAPTEE   XIIL 

A  STARTLING  SECRET — THE  STRANGE  WATS  OF  A  GUARDIAN — 
CLOTHILDE  IN  PERIL — FALL  AND  REMORSE — PALMING 
HIS  WARES  UPON  OTHERS — A  LADY  PHYSICIAN — A  BAR- 
GAIN— MARRIED  AT  LAST — THE  MERCHANT  MILLION- 
AIRE'S VILLIANY  COMPLETE. 

Mrs.  Groves,  laboring  under  the  impression  that  the 
philanthropic  Arthur  had  imparted  to  me  the  cause  of 
his  anxiety  to  unite  his  ward  in  marriage,  and  provide 
liberally  for  her  husband  (that  was  to  be),  informed  me 
in  the  most  delicate  and  lady -like  terms,  that  Clothilde 
was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the  palatial  mansion  of  Arthur 
Tinsley  Strangeways ;  and  further,  that  he  had  assumed, 
or  professed  to  assume,  such  an  interest  in  her  welfare 
as  to  offer  himself  as  her  guardian  and  protector.  This 
was  quite  a  natural  consequence,  inasmuch  as  it  would 
relieve  her  (Mrs,  Groves)  of  much  anxiety,  and  the  of- 
fer being  in  keeping  with  the  generally  accepted  belief 
in  his  philanthropy,  excited  no  apprehension  in  the  mind 
of  the  good  old  lady  that  wrong  could  come,  or  was  in- 
tended, by  the  pretended  guardian  toward  his  assumed 
ward ;  consequently,  her  visits  to  his  house  were  not  re- 
garded in  any  other  light  but  with  reference  to  her  fu- 
ture welfare  and  happiness.  "  But  what  is  friendship 
but  a  name."  At  one  of  those  visits,  so  well  were  his 
plans  matured  that  the  unsuspecting  and  confiding  Clo- 


70 

thilde  was  lured  to  her  ruin.  Wine  and  the  controlling 
influences  of  a  passionate  dissembler,  had  their  effect, 
and  he  led  his  unwary  victim  into  a  trap  from  which 
she  could  not  well  escape  ;  and,  unguarded,  she  fell  from 
the  path  of  virtue  and  right,  to  that  grade  which  society 
shuns  and  regards  unfit  to  mingle  with. 

Poor  Clothilde  was  not  wholly  to  blame ;  the  sur- 
roundings, and  influences  resorted  to  in  order  to  effect 
her  degradation  and  ruin,  are  e very-day  occurrences. 
In  her  case,  probably,  the  temptations  were  greater  than 
many  would  suppose.  She  felt  secure  in  the  house  of 
one  who  was  not  only  a  near  relative  to  her  adopted 
mother,  but  who  professed  to  be  her  guardian  and 
protector ;  and  under  the  sanctity  of  friendship  and  in 
his  own  house.  The  weakness  of  her  sex,  the  wiles 
and  arts  of  her  seducer,  the  resort  to  wine  (perhaps 
prepared  for  the  occasion),  and  the  unconscious  victim, 
in  the  hands  of  one  who  claims  immunity  on  the  score 
of  wealth,  position,  and  the  name  of  being  a  philanthro- 
pist of  modern  times: — why  should  we  wonder  that  she 
fell? 

I  was  not  quite  unprepared  for  such  a  secret  as  the 
good  lady  had  just  imparted  to  me ;  my  optics,  and 
understanding  of  human  nature,  gave  me  a  good  assur- 
ance that  such  a  denouement  was  not  at  all  unlikely ; 
besides,  the  psuedo  guardian,  Arthur  Tinsley  Strange- 
ways,  gave  me  credit  for  being  a  "  man  of  years  and  dis- 
cretion ; "  and  it  is  to  be  supposed  that  at  the  age  of 
thirty -live  years,  I  knew  something  of  the  schemes  of 
designing  men. 

Being  now  fully  assured  of  the  true  state  of  facts,  I 
was  prepared  for  any  further  development  that  the  case 
might  present ;  my  sole  object  was  to  probe  society  to 
its  centre,  and  to  collect  materials  to  place  in  such  a 


71 

readable  shape  as  might  serve  the  cause  of  good,  by 
warning  the  young  and  inexperienced  of  the  snares 
and  allurements  that  are  in  their  every-day  path.  With 
such  a  view,  and  that  only,  I  followed  the  trail  as  an 
Indian  follows,  each  case  in  single  file.  I  will  not  fol- 
low Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways  longer  than  to  give 
the  general  reader  some  idea  of  his  whole  character,  his 
modus  operandi  in  business,  &c.,  &c.  I  was  a  frequent 
visitor,  subsequently,  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Arabella 
Groves,  but  I  carefully  avoided,  on  each  occasion  of 
my  visiting,  alluding  to  an  intimacy  .that  might  be  re- 
garded in  any  other  view  than  mere  friendship.  Mrs. 
Groves'  manner  to  me  was  that  of  sincerity ;  I  looked  to 
her  as  a  real  friend,  and  she,  I  am  inclined  to  believe, 
was  peculiar  in  her  fancies,  as  she  said  that  she  "  fancied 
my  ways ;  "  and  the  course  she  adopted  toward  me  was 
intended  rather  to  strengthen  (as  she  supposed)  the  in- 
timacy between  Clothilde  and  myself,  as  the  "secret" 
was  told  in  a  tone  of  sympathy  in  that  direction,  and 
that  I  was  to  be  the  lucky  recipient  of  a  goodly  posi- 
tion and  fortune  from  her  relative,  Arthur  Tinsley 
Strangeways. 

My  subsequent  interviews  with  Miss  Clothilde  were 
few  and  far  between,  and  gradually  wore  off,  not  with- 
out affording  the  New  York  philanthropist  an  oppor- 
tunity of  knowing  that  I  was  not  only  forewarned  of  his 
guilt,  but  also  forewarned  against  his  designs  to  foist 
upon  me  a  companion  of  his  selection,  under  the  plea  of 
guardianship. 

Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways  did  finally  select  a 
suitable  partner  for  Miss  Clothilde,  as  I  afterwards 
learned.  Nearly  a  year  subsequent,  Miss  Hamilton 
was  in  delicate  health  (as  I  was  informed)  after  my 
visits  were  less  frequent  I  did  not  attribute  her  indis- 


72 

position  to  that  cause ;  but  Mrs.  Groves,  in  her  artless 
confiding  way,  assured  me  that  Miss  H.  had  been  under 
the  advice  of  a  lady  physician,  who  administers  "  never- 
failing  remedies  at  $5.00."  I  found  the  name  of  the 
lady  physician,  and  to  those  who  may  not  be  conver- 
sant with  the  secrets  of  her  art,  it  is  stated  in  very 
plain  and  unmistakable  terms  in  the  columns  of  the 
Herald  every  day.  Here  is  a  copy : 

u  A  certain  cure  for  married  ladies,  with  or  without  medicine, 
by  Madame  Restell,  Professor  of  Midwifery  ;  over  30  years  prac- 
tice. Her  infallible  French  Female  Pills,  No.  1,  price  $1,  or  No.  2, 
specially  prepared  for  married  ladies,  price  $5,  which  can  never 
fail ;  are  safe  and  healthy.  Sold  only  at  her  office,  No.  1  East 
Fifty-second  street,  first  door  from  Fifth  avenue,  and  at  druggists, 
152  Greenwich  street,  or  sent  by  mail.  All  others  are  counterfeit. 
N.  B. — Beware  of  imitators,  who  copy  this  advertisement." 

Miss  Hamilton,  since  that  time,  has  changed  her  name, 
probably  through  the  instrumentality  of  her  guardian. 
Be  that  as  it  may,  she,  I  am  pleased  to  say,  follows  a 
good  and  useful  life,  and  is  known  as  a  very  successful 
artiste  in  modes  de  Paris,  not  far  from  Tenth  street  and 
Broadway.  Her  husband  is  in  the  exercise  of  honor- 
able employment  in  one  of  the  leading  establishments 
on  Broadway,  and  has  charge  of  the  silk  department 
(retail),  and  in  this  way  a  certain  amount  of  business  is 
dovetailed  to  his  wife,  through  his  influence  in  recom- 
mending &c.,  &c.  He  assuming  one  name,  and  Clothilde 
another,  having  a  French  tail  to  it,  for  effect. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

LOTTIE  LATBOBB  ASKS  A  FURTHER  ACQUAINTANCE; — A  MOON- 
LIGHT TRIP  TIP  THK  HUDSON — AN  UNWELCOME  INTEBRUP-. 
TION  AND  UNLOOKED-FOR  CONFESSION — ATTEMPTED  SUICIDE 
AND  RESCUE. 

% 

CATSKELL  STATION.  Monday  morning. 

To  J.  H.  DAVENPORT, 

Box  6825,  New  York. 

DEAR  SIR — It  has  occurred  to  me  that  it  is  so  long  since  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  that  I  -would  take  this  oppor- 
tunity of  informing  you  that  I  am  going  on  a  visit  with  my  aunt 
to  Delaware  county  on  Thursday  next,  and  will  make  a  tem- 
porary stay  of  one  night  with  her  in  New  York,  at  the  Metro- 
politan Hotel.  If  you  can  make  it  convenient  to  call  there,  I  will 
be  pleased  to  introduce  you  to  her.  We  intend  to  take  the 
steamer  St.' John  on  Friday  evening  for  Albany,  and  thence  by 
the  Susquehanna  Railroad  to  Schenevus,  thence  by  stage  to 
Davenport  Centre.  Hoping  you  are  in  the  enjoyment  of  health 
and  other  blessings, 

I  am  very  truly, 

LOTTIE  E.  LATROBE. 

I  had  never  seen  Miss  Lottie's  aunt,  and  here  was  a 
good  chance  to  make  her  acquaintance.  I  promptly 
replied  that  I  would  be  much  pleased  to  pay  my  re- 
spects to  herself  and  aunt  on  the  day  named. 

I  called  at  the  Metropolitan  Hotel ;  colored  representa- 
tive took  my  card  very  gracefully,  and  went  up  to  room 
10 


74 

72.  He  soon  returned,  and  politely  informed  me  "  dat  de 
lady  in  sebenty-two  would  see  me  in  de  ladies'  parlor"  I 
was  soon  ushered,  by  the  reconstructed  person,  into  the 
presence  of  Miss  LaTrobe,  in  the  ladies'  parlor,  and 
he  bowed  himself  out  I  expected  a  greeting  from  an 
aged  aunt,  but  was  disappointed  in  that  particular — 
disappointments  are  not  new  to  me — Miss  LaTrobe,  af- 
ter the  usual  kindly  manifestations  had  subsided,  in- 
formed me  that  her  aunt  had  changed  her  mind  in  re- 
gard to  the  proposed  visit;  and  that  her  health  was 
then  so  feeble  she  had  deferred  the  proposed  journey 
for  a  little  time,  and  Miss  L.  could  not  resist  the  oppor- 
tunity offered  to  visit  friends  she  had  not  seen  in  nearly 
two  years,  and  particularly  after  writing  to  them  that 
they  were  coming. 

The  interview  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  and  at  the 
termination  she  very  delicately  hinted  that  the  boat 
would  leave  pier  45  North  river,  near  the  foot  of  Canal 
street,  at  five  or  six  o'clock,  p.  M. ;  and  expressed  a  de- 
sire that  I  would  oblige  her  by  ascertaining  the  exact 
hour  of  departure  of  the  steamer,  and  let  her  know.  I 
promised  I  would  do  so,  and  took  respectful  leave.  I 
called  next  evening  to  inform  her,  and  remained  till 
near  the  time  of  departure,  when  she  informed  me  that 
she  had  ordered  a  carriage,  and  would  be  pleased  to 
have  my  company  to  the  boat,  and  have  her  "  Saratoga  " 
checked.  Of  course,  I  accepted  ;  I  would  like  to  see  the 
gentleman  who  could  refuse  such  an  offer.  We  reached 
the  boat  just  in  time;  I  went  on  board  with  Miss  L., 
while  jehu  was  taking  the  "Saratoga"  to  be  checked. 
Miss  LaTrobe  handed  me  $5.00  to  secure  a  state-room 
in  the  ladies'  cabin.  I  did  so ;  then  I  went  to  obtain 
the  check  from  coachee,  and  returned  all  right ;  but  of 
course,  hand-shaking  and  taking  leave  generally  takes 


75 

up  all  our  thoughts,  when  dear  friends  are  departing 
on  a  journey  by  steamboat  or  rail,  and  in  one  of  such 
transitory  moments  of  blissful  enjoyment  and  pleasant 
conversation,  the  good  steamer  slipped  from  her  moor- 
ings and  was  gradually  wending  her  way,  heading  up 
the  Hudson  river,  "  and  a  passenger  aboard  that  should 
have  been  ashore." 

In  such  a  dilemma  did  I  find  myself,  in  the  cabin 
of  the  steamer  /St.  John.  I  made  the  best  of  the  mis- 
hap, and  consoled  myself  that  I  could  return  next  day 
in  good  time  for  business,  and  consequently  determined 
to  enjoy  the  evening  to  the  best  advantage.  After  a 
good  supper  on  board,  Miss  L.  and  myself  promenaded 
on  deck,  and  we  became  gradually  interested  in  the 
beautiful  scenery  of  the  Hudson,  and  other  topics ;  the 
leading  one  that  she  dwelt  upon  was  that  which  had 
taken  a  deep  root  in  her  mind,  and  perhaps  her  heart. 
Without  resorting  to  egotism,  I  must  confess  that  Miss 
LaTrobe's  mind  was  quite  absorbed  in  the  idea  that 
I  was  as  much  in  the  power  of  the  blind  goddess  as  she 
then  was.  Miss  LaTrobe  remained  in  the  enjoyment 
of  her  pleasant  thoughts ;  and  in  summing  up  the  many 
interesting  episodes  that  were  received  and  sent  from 
Catskill,  led  her  to  suppose  that  the  event  of  my  being 
unexpectedly  detained  on  board  was  most  opportune 
and  fortunate,  as  it  would  afford  an  opportunity  for 
both  to  descant  on  the  theme.  In  this  particular  in- 
stance it  was  indeed  most  fortunate  for  one  of  us  at 
least 

The  discussion  of  the  interesting  topic  referred  to 
was  gradually  approximating  to  that  degree  of  enthu- 
siasm on  her  part  that  plainly  evinced  how  much  the 
subject  was  in  the  ascendant  in  her  mind.  All  the 
letters  received  and  forwarded  were  carefully  committed 


76 

to  her  memory,  and  each  incident  that  favored  her  view 
of  the  blissful  future  was  treasured  and  enlarged  upon. 
Then  came  an  avowal,  apparently  in  honest  candor,  that 
love  had  exercised  such  control  over  her  on  that  par- 
ticular occasion,  that  she  was  reluctantly  obliged  to 
express  her  feelings  to  me.  I  sympathized  with  her  as 
freely  as  circumstances  and  my  feelings  would  permit ; 
for  be  it  understood,  that  I  had  not  committed  any 
breach  of  good  faith  in  the  correspondence,  which,  on 
my  part,  partook  more  of  the  character  of  friendship 
than  aught  else. 

The  culminating  point  was  now  fast  approaching ;  the 
promenading  was  of  about  two  hours'  duration,  when 
turning  from  one  point  of  the  deck  to  proceed  toward 
another,  Miss  Lottie  E.  LaTrobe  was  recognized  by  a 
lady  and  gentleman  friend  from  New  Haven,  to  whom 
I  was  introduced,  and  who  addressed  her  as  Mrs.  Sar- 
geant. 

I  noticed  that  Miss  LaTrobe  almost  blushed  scarlet 
at  the  unexpected  recognition.  I  was  somewhat  sur- 
prised, and  before  my  mind  could  account  for  the  cause 
of  embarrassment,  the  lady  in  question  inquired  in  a 
kind  way  "  how  Mr.  Sargeant  was,"  and  if  he  accom- 
panied "  her  on  the  trip."  The  negative  was  spoken  in 
a  tone  between  anger  and  swooning  by  Miss  LaTrobe, 
and  soon  the  formality  of  casual  acquaintanceship  be- 
tween the  two  ladies  was  broken  off.  Then  came  an 
unexpected  denouement,  and  for  some  minutes  an  un- 
broken silence  prevailed,  when  suddenly  starting,  as  if 
from  a  reverie,  Miss  LaTrobe  said  that  she  was  a  little 
embarrassed  at  meeting  her  friend  Miss  Coningsby  and 
her  affianced,  and  inquired  if  I  had  noticed  her  manner 
when  that  lady  betrayed  the  name  of  "Sargeant."  I 
remarked  that  I  certainly  did  notice  her  manner  at  the 


77 

mention  of  a  name  I  had  not  heard  before,  and  also  that 
I  had  supposed  from  Miss  Coningsby's  conversation 
that  she  was  formerly  a  resident  of  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, and  was  not  a  permanent  one  at  Catskill. 

Miss  LaTrobe  then  said  to  me,  that  as  I  had,  from 
the  beginning  of  the  correspondence,  acted  toward  her  as 
a  gentleman,  she  would  now  declare  her  fault  to  me ;  and 
hoped  that  when  her  mind  was  relieved  of  its  then  op- 
pressive weight,  that  I  would  not  only  forgive  her,  but 
remember  her  kindly ;  and  that  if  I  exhibited  anger  to- 
ward her,  she  would  not  think  unkindly  of  me,  for  she 
felt  that  she  had  inflicted  a  deep  injury  on  my  feelings. 

In  a  manner  of  deep  sincerity,  in  which  was  mingled 
anguish  and  sorrow,  she  briefly  informed  me  that  her 
name  was  Sargeant,  and  not  LaTrobe,  and  that  the  per- 
son of  whom  Miss  Coningsby  had  made  mention  was 
her  husband,  and  was  then  residing  in  New  Haven ; 
but  that  she  had  been  estranged  from  his  domicil  for  a 
length  of  time.  That  estrangement  had  proceeded 
from  various  causes,  one  of  which  was  the  ill  advice  of 
her  sister,  in  bringing  about  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Sar- 
geant, to  serve  her  own  ends ;  and  Mr.  Sargeant  and 
herself  were  very  ill  suited  to  each  other  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  not  living  happily  together,  she  concluded  to 
quietly  separate ;  that  her  lather,  who  was  a  gentleman 
in  well-to-do  circumstances,  afforded  her  all  the  means 
necessary  to  live,  without  accepting  Mr.  Sargeant's  ali- 
mony, and  had  provided  for  her  a  temporary  home  at 
Catskill,  with  a  sister  of  his. 

Miss  LaTrobe  (now  Mrs.  Sargeant)  was  in  the  great- 
est state  of  nervous  excitement  during  the  recital  of 
this  narrative,  and  at  the  conclusion  she  placed  her 
hands  to  her  forehead  and  bathed  them  in  tears; 
begging  that  I  would  forgive  her  for  the  deception  she 


78 

had  practiced  upon  me,  excused  herself  by  saying 
that  she  had  no  idea  when  she  commenced  to  corres- 
pond with  me  that  it  would  result  in  any  such  manner ; 
but  as  one  sentiment  called  forth  another,  and  after  see- 
ing me  at  our  first  interview,  her  finer  feelings  had  be- 
trayed her  into  the  depth  she  had  penetrated,  till  they 
were  completely  wrapped  up  in  me  and  my  subject, 
and  she  now  presumed  that  although  my  generous  na- 
ture would  overlook  her  indiscretion,  and  forgive  her, 
still  she  thought  that  I  would  forsake  her,  and  regard 
her  unworthy  of  further  confidence  after  such  a  reve- 
lation. 

I  was  in  a  quandary  for  the  moment  as  to  what  ad- 
vice I  should  give,  or  what  adjustment  would  be  proper, 
under  the  circumstances.  I  was  in  a  measure  an  ag- 
gressor— "humanum  est  errare."  We  had  been  resting 
on  a  bench  during  the  conversation,  the  moon  lending 
its  refulgent  grandeur  to  the  scenery  all  around ;  and 
the  promenaders  had  all  left  the  place  (at  the  stern  of 
the  vessel),  probably  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  when 
Mrs.  Sargeant,  abruptly  rising,  ran  forward  toward  the 
guards  of  the  steamer,  and  was  in  the  act  of  making  a 
spring  overboard  when  a  gentleman  (who  turned  out  to 
be  Miss  Coningsby's  lover)  grasped  hold  of  her  skirts, 
and  with  my  assistance  removed  her  below  to  the  ladies' 
cabin,  and  placed  her  in  charge  of  the  stewardess. 
Mr.  Comstock  (for  that  was  the  gent's  name)  and  my- 
self kept  vigil  till  toward  dawn  the  following  morning, 
the  good  stewardess  issuing  a  bulletin  every  now  and 
then  till  that  period,  when  all  danger  had  passed. 

Mr.  Comstock  and  myself,  during  the  hours  of  watch- 
fulness in  which  we  had  taken  interest,  became  com- 
municative, respectively,  in  regard  to  the  singularity  of 
the  incident  of  the  evening  previous,  which  hud  par- 


taken  so  much  of  the  character  of  romance.  He  in- 
formed me  that  he  had  learned  a  good  deal  of  Mrs.  Sar- 
geant's  previous  history  from  his  friend  Miss  Coningsby, 
after  lie  had  been  introduced  to  her.  That  her  hus- 
band was  an  excellent  and  worthy  man,  and  at  that  time 
occupied  the  position  of  partner  in  a  large  flour  mill, 
near  New  Haven;  that  he  was  an  over-indulgent 
spouse,  gratifying  all  the  whims  -  and  caprices  of  his 
fickle  wife,  so  much  so  that  Mrs.  Sargeant  was  sup- 
posed to  wear  those  garments  which  by  gentlemen  are 
usually  worn  without  frills.  Such  was  Mr.  Comstock's 
delicate  regard  for  Mrs.  Sargeant,  that  he  was  not  dis- 
posed to  entertain  an  exalted  opinion  of  her  charms,  and 
he  was,  therefore,  loth  to  use  any  harsher  terms  than 
those  already  referred  to. 

Of  course  I  gave  my  explanation  of  the  little  affair 
in  which  I  had  taken  as  conspicuous  a  part  as  Mrs.  Sar- 
geant, and  candidly  avowed  myself  the  aggressor  toward 
the  lady,  diverting  his  mind  from  knowing  the  exact 
facts  until  the  time  wore  gradually  along  when  we  were 
nearing  Albany,  which  we  reached  at  five,  A.  M.  On 
arriving  at  the  wharf,  I  found  that  Mr.  Comstock  had 
called  a  hack,  into  which  Miss  Coningsby  and  himself 
entered  and  drove  off,  bidding  me  adieu. 

Very  soon  after,  Mrs.  Sargeant  made  her  appearance 
from  the  ladies'  cabin,  and  in  a  state  of  great  despond- 
ency, superinduced  by  the  restless  night  which  she  had 
passed,  approached  to  where  I  was  in  waiting.  I  then 
learned,  for  the  first  time,  that  Mr.  Comstock  had  in- 
formed Miss  Coningsby  of  the  occurrence  (through  the 
stewardess),  and  had  requested  her  to  change  her  room, 
if  possible,  to  that  of  Mrs.  Sargeant's,  in  which  there 
were  some  unoccupied  berths.  This  feeling  of  kindness 
on  Mr.  Comstock's  part  was  to  be  commended,  and  for 


80 

which  I  have  always  felt  a  deep  sense  of  gratefulness. 
The  confusion  I  felt  at  the  unusual  occurrence  had  so 
worked  upon  me  that  my  presence  of  mind  had  not 
suggested  that  when  we  placed  Mrs.  Sargeant  in  charge 
of  the  stewardess. 

We  silently  journeyed  from  the  deck  of  the  steamer 
St.  John  to  the  omnibufc  in  waiting  on  the  wharf,  and 
accompanied  the  several  passengers  to  the  Delavan 
House.  Mrs.  Sargeant  had  evidently  received  some 
good  advice  from  Miss  Coningsby  in  the  cabin  of  the 
steamer,  and  as  I  had  given  her  additional  assurance 
that  I  had  not  imparted  to  Mr.  Comstock  any  particulars 
of  our  secret  correspondence,  she  felt  a  great  inward  re- 
lief;  and  assured  me,  that  as  far  as  her  friend  Miss  Con- 
ingsby was  concerned,  she  felt  secure,  and  was  persuaded 
to  the  belief  that  she  would  rather  shield  her  than 
otherwise,  inasmuch  as  Miss  Coningsby  was  at  that  time 
carrying  on  a  correspondence  with  Mr.  Comstock  with- 
out the  consent  or  knowledge  of  her  parents ;  her  pater- 
nal one  sternly  refusing  to  recognize  such  absurdities 
in  the  young  of  either  sex ;  hence,  all  Miss  Coningby's 
interviews  with  Mr.  Comstock  were  of  a  clandestine 
character. 

After  an  excellent  breakfast  at  the  Delavan  House, 
of  which  Mrs.  Sargeant  made  a  very  hearty  meal,  mat- 
ters generally  assumed  a  degree  of  calm  that  was  some- 
what refreshing.  Mrs.  S.  had  evidently  reflected  on 
the  rash  step  she  was  about  to  take  the  evening  pre- 
vious, as  I  had  dwelt  upon  the  enormity  of  the  offense, 
in  the  sight  of  God  and  man,  and  the  disgrace  that  it 
would  entail  on  her  family  name  and  relatives.  Then, 
again,  she  had  committed  no  indiscretion  that  would 
bring  upon  her  a  lasting  disgrace ;  no  such  humiliation 
or  scandal,  and  she  could  well  retrace  her  steps,  and 


81 

walk  the  path  of  uprightness  and  honor,  instead  of  de- 
ception and  vice.  This  she  most  faithfully  promised  to 
do ;  and  when  the  conversation  had  nearly  exhausted 
the  subject,  it  was  near  the  time  of  departure  of  the 
10:30  morning  train  from  Albany  to  Schenevus.  We 
walked  leisurely  from  the  Delavan  to  the  Susquehanna 
depot,  where  I  had  the  "  Saratoga  "  checked,  and  pro- 
curing a  ticket  I  placed  Mrs.  Sargeant,  alias  Lottie  E. 
LaTrobe  on  board.  The  conductor  said  "  all  was  right," 
and  the  agent  of  steam  took  my  fair  charmer  away. 
11 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SEEKING  A  NEW  MEETING — HER  SEARCH  FOR  J.  H.  DAVEN- 
PORT— DISCOVERED — DEATH  OF  LOTTIE'S  HUSBAND — HER 
DECLARATIONS  IN  WASHINGTON  PARK — OUR  FINAL  SEP- 
ABATION. 

About  two  months  after,  I  received  a  note  from  Mrs. 
Sargeant,  mailed  at  New  Haven,  requesting  a  renewal 
of  former  correspondence,  and  intimating  certain  rea- 
sons which  she  could  give  for  wishing  a  reopening  of 
the  subject  which  had  engrossed  so  much  of  her 
thoughts  on  previous  occasions. 

Without  expressing  a  desire  to  enter  into  any  new 
particulars,  or  incidents,  that  she  might  wish  to  advance, 
I  respectfully  declined  to  hold  any  further  views  in  re- 
lation to  the  subject,  alleging  as  a  reason,  that  the  event- 
ful night  on  board  the  steamer  /St.  John  had  afforded 
me  sufficient  cause  for  discontinuing  any  further  re- 
turn to  such  incidents.  At  the  same  time  informing 
the  lady  of  the  risks  she  was  running  in  still  persisting 
to  follow  the  bent  of  an  unwise  (not  to  say  unholy)  pas- 
sion, adding  that  I  had  learned  from  our  mutual  friend 
Mr.  Comstock,  that  her  nusband  was  a  worthy  gentle- 
man, and  a  more  than  indulgent  husband ;  and  a  review 
of  the  past,  with  a  little  serious  reflection,  would  lead 
her  thoughts  to  the  line  of  duty  she  ought  to  pursue 
for  the  future  happiness  of  herself  and  husband ;  besides, 


83 

being  a  lady  of  singular  mental  endowments  01  more 
than  ordinary  quality,  she  was  well  calculated  to  make 
her  home  a  retreat  of  pleasure  and  refinement,  instead 
of  being  a  void,  surrounded  with  compunctions  of  con- 
science, and  remote  from  blessings  and  every  happiness. 

I  reasonably  supposed  that  such  a  note  as  the  above, 
in  reply  to  her  invitation  to  commence  anew  the  sub- 
ject of  her  former  unhappiness,  would  be  a  sufficient 
guarantee  to  her  that  further  appeal  would  be  unneces- 
sary, and  that  I  desired  a  discontinuance  of  the  matter. 
Such  was  not  the  case  ;  the  next  day  brought  a  reply 
by  mail,  in  the  most  beautiful  and  expressive  style  of 
language,  entreating  me  in  the  most  affectionate  man- 
ner to  grant  her  an  interview,  which  might  perhaps  be 
a  final  one.  I  still  declined,  not  recognizing  any  good 
that  might  accrue ;  and  in  reality  I  began  to  feel  some- 
what alarmed  at  the  earnestness  of  the  appeal. 

In  the  meantime  I  left  my  lodgings  for  a  more  com- 
fortable and  convenient  one,  and  I  subsequently  learned 
that  on  my  last  refusal  to  see  Mrs.  Sargeant,  she  had 
called  at  my  former  abode,  and  iound  from  the  land- 
lady that  I  had  left,  and  did  not  know  where  I  was 
then  boarding.  Mrs.  Sargeant  then  inquired  if  any 
letters  were  left  by  the  carrier,  or  if  it  was  possible  to 
find  me.  A  thought  struck  the  landlady  that  she  had 
heard  (or  rather  overheard),  as  they  always  do,  that  I 
had  a  friend,  cashier  in  a  certain  bank,  and  forthwith 
Mrs.  Sargeant  presented  herself  at  the  desk  of  that  gen- 
tleman, and  inquired  where  Mr.  J.  H.  Davenport  did 
business,  stating  that  she  had  some  documents  sent  by 
her  husband,  Mr.  Sargeant,  to  me.  The  cashier  directed 
her  to  my  place  of  business,  and  she  found  me  there. 

Mrs.  Sargeant  entered  a  kind  and  somewhat  reproach- 
ful protest  at  my  refusal  to  grant  her  requested  inter- 


84 

view.  I  reasoned  as  well  as  I  could  consistently  in  a 
business  establishment,  and  on  sucli  a  subject,  but  my 
argument  was  of  little  avail,  and  she  persisted  in  re- 
questing an  interview  with  me  that  afternoon  at  three 
o'clock,  in  Washington  Parade  Ground^  when  she  would 
impart  to  me  something  that  she  said  I  would  be 
pleased  to  hear,  and  must  be  sure  not  to  disappoint  her, 

1  am  free  to  avow  that  I  began  to  be  somewhat 
alarmed  at  the  new  turn  matters  had  taken,  and  had 
some  reason  to  think  that  Mrs.  S.  contemplated  vio- 
lence, either  on  herself  or  me.  This  conviction  on 
my  part  was  somewhat  strengthened  by  the  incident 
on  the  /Si  John  steamboat,  on  the  Hudson.  I  am  no 
coward,  but  this  was  a  time  to  exercise  the  utmost  cau- 
tion and  vigilance,  should  any  demonstration  of  violence 
be  made  either  on  her  own  person  or  that  of  mine. 

With  a  consciousness  that  I  was  powerful  in  the 
right,  and  that  my  knowledge  of  human  nature  would 
enable  me  to  detect  in  Mrs.  Sargeant's  demeanor  toward 
me  the  slightest  move  that  would  have  for  its 
object  the  taking  of  her  own  life  or  mine — for  at  the 
time  I  could  divine  no  other  motive  she  had  in  view  in 
selecting  for  our  interview  Washington  Parade  Ground 
— I  determined  to  see  her.  Firm  and  resolved,  I  was  at 
the  appointed  place  at  the  exact  time.  I  saw  Mrs. 
Sargeant  coming  toward  me  from  the  gate  which  leads 
to  Fourth  street,  and  with  a  countenance  beaming 
with  gladness.  I  was  a  little  disconcerted,  for  the  mo- 
ment, at  this,  but  was  not  off  my  guard.  I  requested 
her  to  take  my  arm,  so  that  I  might  better  secure  my 
object,  if  my  surmises  should  prove  correct.  It  hap- 
pened for  the  good  of  both  that  my  fears  were  entirely 
groundless ;  Mrs.  Sargeant  came  for  a  more  definite  aim 
and  purpose. 


85 

In  a  tone  of  apparent  sadness,  yet  unmingled  with, 
emotion,  she  began  by  relating  that  since  she  had  seen 
me  last  she  had  gone  through  a  sea  of  trouble ;  not  in 
a  pecuniary  sense,  but  in  the  loss  of  her  husband,  and 
that  she  was  now  a  widow.  Although  no  indications 
of  widowhood  appeared  in  the  closely  frilled  border- 
ing ;  no  extravagance  of  sorrowful  apparel  that  indi- 
cates the  outward  regard  for  the  dear  departed,  there 
was  a  something,  I  can  not  now  express  it,  which  fa- 
vored the  semblance  of  sorrow ;  but  not  that  depth  of 
grief  that  is  usually  manifested  on  the  sudden  demise 
of  so  near  a  relative. 

I  offered  such  sympathy  as  is  usually  expressed,  on 
learning  that  the  hand  of  death  had  robbed  her  of  a 
good  husband,  and  endeavored  to  elicit  the  cause  of  his 
illness  ;  but  in  this  I  was  unsuccessful,  and  finally  gave 
the  subject  the  benefit  of  my  own  surmises. 

Mrs.  Sargeant  made  another  passionate  appeal  to  me, 
even  at  such  a  time,  and  expressed  a  fervent  wish  to  re- 
sume where  we  had  broken  off,  and  that  she  would  now 
regard  me  as  the  only  friend  to  whom  she  would  even 
look  for  that  sympathy  and  comfort  in  which  she  stood 
so  much  in  need.  These  expressions,  coming  at  such  a 
time,  gave  rise  to  some  unpleasant  reflections  in  my 
mind,  and  I  made  a  resolve  inwardly  that  I  would 
break  off  from  the  influence  and  importunities  of 
Mrs.  Sargeant ;  and  I  then  told  her,  in  a  very  pleasant 
manner,  that  I  would  come  to  a  conclusion  in  a  short 
time,  and  would  inform  her  of  the  result  on  the 
following  day.  Accordingly,  the  next  day  I  gave 
vent  to  my  opinions  of  her  case,  and  in  recounting  all 
the  facts,  and  comparing  notes,  I  forwarded  to  Mrs. 
Sargeant  a  respectful  letter  by  mail,  declining  any  fur- 
ther interviews  or  correspondence,  and  giving  as  a  rea- 


86 

son  for  so  doing,  that  I  was  of  opinion  that  her  husband, 
Mr.  Sargeant,  had  been  unkindly  dealt  with ;  perhaps 
I  might  have  used  a  stronger  term,  but  charity  forbade 
me  wounding  her  feelings. 

From  that  day  to  this  I  have  heard  nothing  of  Mrs, 
Sargeant,  or  the  cause  of  her  husband's  demise ;  it  may 
have  been  natural  or  otherwise.  He  above,  who  knows 
all  our  thoughts  and  actions,  I  leave  to  judge. 

"  Think  not  that  guilt,  that  falsehood,  made  me  fall ; 
No,  no — 'twas  grief,  't  was  madness,  did  it  all  1 
Nay,  doubt  me  not ;  though  all  thy  love  hath  ceased — 
I  know  it  hath— yet,  yet  believe,  at  least." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  SCIENCE  OP  LETTER  WHITING — Miss  SADIE  MAHONE'S 
LIFE  IN  A  FASHIONABLE  BOARDING  HOUSE — Music  AND 
MATRIMONY — SADIE'S  DISAPPOINTMENT. 

It  will  be  remembered  by  the  reader  that  there 
were  twenty-seven  letters  addressed,  in  the  usual 
style  of  delicate  penmanship,  to  J.  H.  Davenport,  box 
6825,  post-office,  New  York.  Some  of  them  tinted  and 
perfumed  with  "  Lubin's "  choicest  odors,  and  with 
one,  or  perhaps  two,  exceptions,  the  indication  of  pre- 
payment of  postage  was  placed,  invariably,  upon  the 
left-hand  corner  of  the  envelope,  instead  of  the  right. 
On  referring  to  each  delicate  missive  in  detail,  and  giv- 
ing a  cursory  glance  at  the  sentiments,  diction,  and  liter- 
ary attainments  of  the  writers,  they  afforded  additional 
evidence  of  the  same  weakness  of  intellect  as  appeared  in 
the  case  of  the  postage  stamps.  The  writers  had  not 
advanced  in  the  scale  of  progressive  intelligence  that 
would  entitle  them  to  respectful  consideration. 

They  were,  for  the  most  part,  a  wide  departure  from 
the  Chesterfield  style  of  language  or  teaching,  and  in 
many  of  them  a  goodly  evidence  was  apparent  that  the 
"  school  marm  "  had  been  abroad,  or  in  other  words, 
they  had  not  received  a  New  England  education. 
Others  were  written  in  the  log  seminary  style,  thus: 


83 

"  I  now  take  up  my  pen  in  hand,"  &c.  This  was  sup- 
posed to  afford  me  enlightenment  that  the  aspirants  for 
my  affections,  or  a  "social  interchange  of  thought,"  had 
five  digits  to  enable  them  to  grasp  their  pen,  and  by 
ambidextrous  skill,  with  five  additional,  to  obtain  pos- 
session of  my  earthly  person,  goods,  chattels,  &c.,  at  the 
same  time. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  there  were  two  of  them  which  de- 
served more  than  a  passing  notice,  and  to  these  I  gave 
sufficient  consideration  in  many  pleasant  "  interchanges 
of  thought, "  minus  the  matrimony.  First  in  order  came 
No.  26,  mailed  at  Broadway,  near  Thirty-first  street; 
the  other,  at  the  outlandish  town  of  Saccarrappa,  in  the 
State  of  Maine.  No.  26  being  in  Broadway,  I  found 
the  writer  by  the  ordinary  process  known  to  detective 
manipulation,  and  on  discovering  the  house  in  which 
she  resided,  I  saw  on  the  column  of  the  door  a  notice, 
written  in  a  female  hand,  that  there  was  "pleasant 
rooms,"  or  "rooms  en  suite  to  rent  with  board."  I  rang 
the  bell,  and  found  that  the  lady  of  the  house  was  tem- 
porarily indisposed,  and  could  not  be  seen ;  but  was  in- 
formed "  that  if  the  apartment  pleased  me  I  could  have 
it  on  giving  reference  satisfactory."  This  assurance 
being  at  hand,  I  vacated  my  former  peaceful  retreat, 
and  deposited  my  goods  and  chattels  in  the  new-found 
abode.  Next  morning,  after  a  refreshing  ablution  in 
one  of  the  modern  improvements,  commonly  called  a 
bath,  I  presented  myself  at  breakfast  Being  a  new 
comer,  I  was  the  observed  of  all  observers,  and  my  seat 
was  leaned  forward  next  to  an  interesting  looking  lady 
in  weeds.  I  did  not  feel  that  embarrassment  that 
might  otherwise  ensue  if  I  had  been  in  the  same  prox- 
imity to  a  Miss.  Then  there  were  other  considerations 
that  left  room  for  supposition  that  the  seat  selected  was 


89 

the  most  fitting  and  suitable  one  in  the  family  circla 
The  establishment  was  conducted  in  a  style  to  suit  a 
certain  class,  better  known  as  "codfish  aristocracy." 
This  not  being  a  vulgarism,  it  may  not  be  considered  a 
misnomer.  The  proprietress  was  a  lady  of  that  uncer- 
tain age  that  would  be  difiicult  to  determine  by  an  um- 
pire ;  yet  she  might  be  classed  with  those  whose  age 
and  figure  are  usually  named  in  three  syllables :  fair,  fat, 
and  forty.  If  more,  certainly  not  less,  and  one  who  had 
forgotten  all  the  vagaries  of  Cupid  and  his  arts.  She 
was  maidenly  and  lady -like ;  the  former  gave  rise,  some- 
times, to  bitterness,  and  set  the  sterner  portion  of  her 
household  to  reflect  on  what  could  have  been  the  cause 
of  her  youthful  disappointments,  and  withal  so  much  a 
lady  ?  The  surroundings  of  the  family  circle  were  not 
of  that  cheerful  order  that  would  invite  a  boarder  to 
stay,  while  so  many  tempting  offers  are  made  wherein 
"  the  comforts  of  a  home  might  be  enjoyed."  There 
were  several  other  maiden  ladies  of  questionable  age 
in  the  house,  and  it  would  seem  that  such  a  class  of  so- 
ciety was  especially  cultivated  therein.  There  was  one 
there,  however,  not  so  far  advanced  in  years — this 
brings  me  to  letter  No.  26 — and  this  inducement  led 
me  to  stay  a  longer  time  than  I  otherwise  would  have 
dona 

Miss  Sadie  Mahone  was  a  guest  of  the  maidenly  pro- 
prietress, and  during  her  sojourn  in  the  house  she  took 
upon  herself  the  charge  of  many  domestic  burdens  in 
the  form  of  housekeeping,  and  was  generally  a  favorite 
with  all  the  boarders.  She  never  knew  that  my  name 
was  J.  H.  Davenport,  and  I  never  made  her  aware  that 
I  had  such  a  bundle  in  my  portfolio  soliciting  an  "  inter- 
change of  thought"  I  elicited  all  her  thoughts  with- 
out much  of  the  interchange,  and  among  them  a  fact 
12 


90 

that  she  did  not  care  much  for  music,  in  which  I  took  a 
great  pleasure;  but  in  one  of  the  "interchanges  of 
thought,"  I  learned  that  a  niece  of  the  maiden  hostess, 
who  was  a  good  performer  on  the  piano  and  vocalist,  was 
coming  on  a  visit,  as  she  had  just  graduated  at  that 
seat  of  refinement  in  New  England  called  "Holyoke." 
At  this  intimation  from  Miss  Mahone,  I  was  anxiously 
looking  for  a  rich  literary  treat ;  and  it  came,  I  am 
pleased  to  say,  in  a  short  time  after,  in  the  person  of  a 
young  lady  of  twenty  summers.  Here  another  evi- 
dence was  afforded  that  New  England  ought  to  be 
proud  of  that  eminent  seminary  of  intellectual  advance- 
ment, as  well  as  the  State  who  claims  for  her  offspring 
that  Chesterfieldian  philosopher  and  statesman  Sumner, 
besides  the  Beechers,  Stowes,  and  other  celebrities.  To 
shorten  this  chapter,  it  will  be  only  necessary  to  say 
that  Miss  Mahone  acted  not  wisely,  nor  perhaps  well,  in 
giving  me  an  introduction  to  her  "dear  friend  from 
Holyoke,"  as  all  my  future  leisure  was  devoted  to  listen- 
ing to  the  beautiful  selections  from  Beethoven  and 
Meyerbeer,  so  elegantly  performed  by  Miss  Gilchrist 
on  a  fine-toned  seven-and-a-half  octave. 

When  the  quaver  and  semi-quaver  cadences  had  sub- 
sided, I  was  edified  by  her  recital  of  the  beauties  of 
Chaucer,  the  language  of  Demosthenes,  and  of  modern 
literature,  in  which  she  was  well  read.  While  in  a  state 
of  semi-obliviousness,  I  discovered  the  truth  of  the  max- 
im, "  qui  non  proficit,  deficit."  "  He  who  does  not  ad- 
vance, goes  backward." 

In  this  particular  instance  it  was  made  manifest.  My 
snail-like  pace  was  taken  advantage  of  by  a  modern 
scion  of  Esculapius.  He  came,  saw,  and  conquered, 
and  the  young  lady  of  twenty  summers  then,  now  dis- 
courses sweet  lullabys  to  her  first-born,  and  beneath  the 


91 

bracing  air  of  the  Orange  mountains  she  graces  her  vil- 
lage home  in  the  society  of  her  affectionate  doctor. 

It  would  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader  to  follow  in 
detail  the  course  of  Miss  Mahone.  It  may  be  said  she 
is  a  young  lady  of  prudence  and  honor,  and  worthy  of 
the  respect  of  any  gentleman,  her  only  apparent  fault 
being  a  maudlin  religious  sentimentality,  which  pre- 
vails in  Puritanical  notions  of  worship,  and  to  such  an 
extreme  is  this  carried  by  some  persons,  that  it  partakes 
of  disbelief  in  all  other  doctrines  but  their  own,  and  in 
this  instance  Miss  Mahone  was  not  an  exception. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

A  VOICE  FROM  THE  EAST — FANNIE  LIVINGSTON  AS  A  CORRES- 
PONDENT— A  LENGTHY  CORRESPONDENCE  BETWEEN  FANNIE 
AND  THE  AUTHOR — MRS.  AYERS  OP  SCHERMERHORN  STREET. 

SACCARAPPA,  August  10,  1866. 

SIR — The  longitude  of  this  place  from  New  York,  situated  as 
it  is,  in  the  far  end  of  sun-down,  would  indicate,  perhaps,  that 
its  inhabitants  are  so  far  remote  from  civilization,  that  we  can 
neither  see  nor  hear  of  the  doings  of  other  mortals  in  the  great 
commercial  marts  of  our  Union.  Yet  we  do,  and  this  may  be 
Dew  evidence  to  you,  that  reasoning  from  analogy  is  not  in  all 
cases  sound  logic.  Those  powerful  agents  of  civilization, 
steam,  railroads,  and  the  telegraph,  facilitate  our  intellectual  ad- 
vancement in  the  same  degree  as  it  opens  up  to  us  the  inex- 
haustible resources  of  the  great  Far  West ;  yes,  good  sir,  one  of 
these  agents,  or  rather  two  of  them,  have  placed  before  me  a  copy 
of  that  interesting  weekly  journal,  the  Waverly,  and  I  observe 
your  advertisement,  to  which  a  young  lady  friend  has  called  my 
attention,  inviting  a  correspondence  for  literary  amusement. 

Probably  there  may  be  impropriety  in  this,  but  my  young 
friend,  who  is  at  my  elbow,  urges  me  in  such  a  way  that  she  has 
induced  me  to  be  her  amanuensis  for  the  time  being.  We  are 
only  here  on  a  visit ;  Miss  Hargreaves  and  myself,  when  at  home, 
reside  at  Cape  Elizabeth  ;  and  we  enjoy  ourselves  in  a  variety 
of  little  pleasantries  that  make  up  for  the  dullness  and  such  con- 
trasts as  are  to  be  found  in  your  city.  Many  of  the  contrasts  I 
am  more  familiar  with  than  you  may  be  willing  to  reconcile  to 
your  belief,  and  as  pointed  assertions  should  always  be  borne 
out  by  facts  to  substantiate  their  truthfulness,  I  will  say  that  I 


93 

was  formerly  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  where  I  have  spent  many 
happy  years,  and  have  a- good,  kind  sister  there.  But  here  I 
must  stop.  I  am  writing  for  the  edification  of  Miss  Hargreaves, 
and  anything  I  may  know  might  not  be  interesting  to  you,  or 
otherwise ;  but  as  I  have  been  led  into  error  so  far,  suppose  you 
condescend  to  write  us  conjointly  ;  that  will  remove  any  feeling  ; 
then  we  may  favor  you  with  a  reply.  As  your  advertisement 
does  not  solicit  photographs,  we  may  tell  you  frankly  we  have 
none  to  bestow,  but  in  our  next  we  may  give  you  a  pen  and  ink 
sketch  of  ourselves. 

Address,         FANNIE  LIVINGSTON,  or 

HATTIE  HAKGKEAVES, 

Cape  Elizabeth  Depot,  Maine. 
To  J.  H.  DAVENPORT,  New  York. 

This  letter,  although  written  at  the  "  far  end  of  sun- 
down "  (as  was  expressed  by  Miss  Livingston),  gave  me 
assurance  of  two  things,  viz. :  literary  talent  and  edu- 
cation, cultured  by  forethought  and  experience  in  the 
writer,  besides  bearing  the  imprint  of  refinement  and 
candor.  Such  an  epistle  deserved  a  respectful  reply, 
but  whether  to  address  one  in  the  singular  or  plural 
sense,  as  requested,  I  was  slightly  disconcerted  to  deter- 
mine. If  I  wrote  a  reply  to  Miss  Livingston,  and 
omitted  mention  of  her  "lady  friend,"  it  might  be 
construed  as  a  hint  that  Miss  Hargreaves  was  a  myth, 
and  that  I  recognized  Miss  Livingston  only.  The  two 
names  were  written  by  the  same  lady,  the  sentiments 
and  views  of  only  one  expressed,  and  although  Miss 
Livingston  informed  me  that  "reasoning  from  analogy 
was  not  in  all  cases  sound  logic,"  here  was  an  oppor- 
tunity afforded  to  improve  myself  by  a  "social  inter- 
change of  thought  "  on  some  theme,,  and  adopting  the 
maxim  of  Cicero,  "  that  literary  studies  are  the  food  of 
youth  and  the  consolation  of  age;  they  adorn  pros- 


94 

perity,  and  are  the  comfort  of  adversity,"  I  made  up 
my  mind  that  it  would  be  most  proper  to  address  a  joint 
letter  to  the  ladies  (as  I  presumed  there  were  two),  and 
place  the  superscription  on  the  envelope  to  Miss  Fannie 
Livingston,  leaving  her  to  use  her  pleasure  by  taking 
it  to  her  own  keeping  or  handing  it  to  Miss  Hattie  Har- 
greaves.  With  this  view  I  wrote  the  following  reply : 

NEW  YOBK,  August  25,  1866. 

LADIES — It  affords  me  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  esteemed  favor  of  the  10th  inst.,  dated  at  Saccarappa,  Maine, 
which  you  are  pleased  to  say  is  situated  in  a  remote  degree  from 
civilization.  I  agree  with  you,  that  intellectual  development,  as 
well  as  our  commercial  and  political  advancement,  owes  much 
of  its  strength  to  those  auxiliary  agents  you  refer  to ;  in  fact,  since 
the  advent  of  their  discovery  we  have  advanced  so  far,  and  are 
making  such  progressive  strides,  that  we  are  penetrating  new 
fields  of  enterprise,  wealth,  and  commercial  prosperity,  and  dis- 
tancing all  competitors  in  the  old  world,  until  our  system  of 
government  has  become  a  study  for  the  statesman,  as  well  as  the 
philosopher,  in  other  hemispheres. 

You  have  made  a  just  remark,  that  in  this  city  a  variety  of 
contrasts  exist,  and  are  apparent  to  the  casual  observer ;  but 
commercial  men  hurriedly  pass  them  by,  having  no  time  to  dwell 
on  their  congruity.  Ladies  are  supposed  to  be  closer  and  more 
astute  observers  then  men,  hence,  we  naturally  look  for  that  en- 
lightenment in  literature,  art,  and  general  excellence,  which  we 
give  credit  to  the  female  mind  for  possessing.  Their  delicacy 
of  nature  renders  them  fitting  agents  to  mould  the  thoughts  and 
intellect  of  youth.  The  controlling  influence  of  their  gentle  man- 
ners, their  virtues,  and  their  charms,  have  made  them  an  object 
of  our  first  regard  since  the  time  of  mother  Eve. 

Then  how  can  Miss  Livingston  think  that  I  may  be  "  unwill- 
ing to  reconcile  to  my  belief"  such  contrasts  as  she  may  have 
observed  ?  It  may  be,  I  am  free  to  confess,  that  I  overlook  a 
great  many  faults  of  our  weak  humanity,  and  take  cognizance 
only  of  the  good  and  the  beautiful ;  these  confer  more  lasting 
benefits,  and  are  as  easily  to  be  understood.  I  would  be  not 


95 

only  pleased,  but  gratified,  to  learn  from  Miss  Livingston  some 
of  her  notes  or  dottings  of  New  York ;  they  may  pass  away  a 
dull  hour  of  loneliness  ;  or  in  the  portrayal  of  some  passage  of 
intellectual  refinement,  call  forth  the  memories  of  home  and  its 
endearments.  Such  reminiscences  would  have  a  peculiar  charm 
for  me ;  there  can  be  no  impropriety  in  their  introduction,  and  I 
am  sure  your  lady  friend  can  have  no  scruples  in  pursuing  such  a 
theme;  but  I  will  anxiously  look  for  those  contrasts  in  which 
you  suppose  I  have  a  disbelief;  also  the  pen  and  ink  sketch  you 
kindly  offered  to  bestow,  and  any  other  particulars  you  wish  to 
furnish,  I  will  feel  obliged  and  grateful  for. 
Yery  respectfully, 

J.  H.  DAVENPOKT. 

The  same  hand  which  wrote  the  letter  of  the  10th 
inst,  from  Saccarappa,  mailed  a  reply  to  the  above  on 
the  30th  of  August,  1866,  from  Cape  Elizabeth,  Maine. 
As  some  young  Miss  may  desire  to  know  more  of 
Miss  Livingston  (it  would  be  a  source  of  profit  to  her  at 
the  same  time  to  exercise  the  prudence  and  forethought 
which  actuated  her  in  making  a  selection  of  an  un- 
known literary  correspondent),  we  append  the  response : 

CAPE  ELIZABETH  DEPOT,  August  30,  1866. 
J.  H.  DAVENPORT,  Esq. 

SIB — Your  kind  note  I  received  Wednesday  morning.  You 
must  allow  me  to  express  my  surprise  at  its  reception,  for  when 
I  addressed  you  it  was  scarcely  with  an  idea  that  I  should  ever 
hear  from  you,  or  if  at  all,  in  so  gentlemanly  a  manner.  I  have 
always  been  averse  to  this  style  of  correspondence,  and  this  is 
the  first  time  I  have  ever  indulged  in  anything  of  the  kind,  so  I 
am  certainly  a  novice  in  this  way  of  writing.  I  thought  at  first  I 
would  not  reply,  but  the  perusal  of  your  note  has  caused  me  to 
change  somewhat  from  a  former  decision.  Its  tenor  and  style 
is  what  I  would  expect  from  a  true  gentleman  (and  here,  allow 
me  to  say,  if  I  did  not  believe  you  to  be  such  I  would  not 
write  you).  I  am  impressed  that  a  correspondence  with  you 


96 

would  be  very  interesting  and  instructive.  I  think  one's  literary 
talent  may  be  much  improved  by  this  character  of  communica- 
tion. Prompted  by  these  reasons,  if  you  should  deem  them 
worthy  of  "  social  interchange  of  thought,"  I  will  give  you  a 
line  of  introduction  to  my  sister  in  Brooklyn  ;  she  is  a  married 
lady  of  more  mature  years  than  myself,  and  of  course  will  be 
better  capable  of  judging  of  the  propriety  of  my  continuing  the 
matter  further ;  you  may  then  elicit  from  her  more  than  the  limits 
of  this  note  will  allow.  I  may  say  here,  that  in  the  course  of  a 
short  time  I  will  return  to  Brooklyn,  where  I  shall  make  my 
home  with  her,  and  may  then  have  the  pleasure  of  a  better 
acquaintance  with  you. 

Kindly  and  respectfully, 

FANNIE  LIVINGSTON. 

Here  was  at  least  a  partial  evidence  that  Miss  Fannie 
sometimes  did  reason  from  analogy  She  inclosed  a 
letter  of  introduction  (sealed)  to  her  sister,  with  a  view 
of  ascertaining  if  the  facts  of  my  few  lines  of  Waverly 
"special  "  were  of  the  order  of  falsity  or  truth.  This 
was  a  most  commendable  course,  and  one  well  calcu- 
lated to  establish  confidence  in  any  gentleman  that 
Miss  Livingston  was  none  other  than  what  she  had  re- 
presented herself  to  be,  a  lady  of  refinement  and  respect- 
ability. 

If  all  young  ladies  who  are  tempted  to  answer  un- 
known correspondents  would  adopt  the  same  course, 
and  submit  their  views  on  this  topic  to  their  sisters  or 
friends,  they  would  save  themselves  (if  not  from  niin) 
at  least  from  humiliation. 

The  introductory  note  was  addressed  to  "  Mi's.  Letitia 
A.  Ayres,  No. —  Schermerhorn  street,  Brooklyn,  in- 
troducing J.  H.  Davenport,  of  New  York."  I  called  the 
next  day  but  one  after  the  receipt  of  the  note  from 
Miss  Livingston,  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Ayres,  in  Scher- 
merhorn street,  and  was  received  very  kindly  by  that 


97 

lady.  Her  manner  was  somewhat  reserved,  and  prop- 
erly so.  She  briefly  perused  the  note,  and  informed 
me  that  it  contained  an  outline  of  what  her  sister  de- 
sired to  know,  and  if  I  was  willing  to  inform  her  of  my 
social  status  in  society,  and  furnish  honorable  credentials, 
she  could  see  no  great  impropriety  in  corresponding  with 
her  sister,  with  the  view  of  literary  improvement,  &c. 
Mrs.  Ayres  further  said,  "  that  her  sister  Fannie  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church ;  was  a  teacher, 
and  her  absence  was  felt  very  much  among  a  large 
number  of  her  lady  acquaintances  and  Sabbath-school 
scholars."  Mrs.  Ayres  also  said,  "that  previous  to  her 
sister  leaving  for  Cape  Elizabeth,  where  she  was  at 
present  visiting  another  married  sister,  she  had  been 
made  the  recipient  of  a  beautiful  copy  of  the  Holy 
Bible,  and  also  a  very  handsome  album  of  a  large  size, 
both  of  them  elegantly  bound,  and  on  the  fly-sheet  of 
each  were  written  expressions  of  the  highest  esteem  and 
regard. for  Miss  Fannie,  by  the  kind  donors." 

On  a  neat  marble  table  which  stood  in  the  middle  of 
the  richly  furnished  parlor,  were  placed  these  evidences 
of  merit  and  moral  excellence,  and  Mrs.  Ayres,  taking 
up  the  album  which  contained  the  photographs  of  her- 
self, husband,  two  children,  and  sisters  Fannie  and  Kate, 
handed  it  to  me  for  inspection.  There  was  a  striking 
family  resemblance  in  the  one  of  Miss  Fannie  and  Mrs. 
Ayres,  the  only  disparity  being  in  their  ages,  Mrs.  Ayres 
being  six  years  the  senior  of  her  sister  Fannie. 

Mrs.  Ayres  and  her  sisters  Fannie  and  Kate  were 
the  surviving  children  of  the  Reverend  Daniel  Living- 
ston, of  South  Framingham,  near  Boston,  the  gentleman 
being  many  years  deceased.  After  a  very  pleasant  inter- 
view with  Mrs.  Ayres,  I  was  kindly  invited  to  call  any 
evening  I  wished  at  her  residence,  and  see  her  husband, 
13 


98 

who  was  a  merchant  in  good  circumstances,  and  doing 
business  in  Beekman  street,  New  York  city. 

I  made  two  visits  to  this  good  family,  previous  to  the 
advent  or  arrival  of  Miss  Fannie  from  Cape  Elizabeth, 
which  was  some  five  or  six  weeks  subsequently.  About 
the  third  day  after  her  arrival  in  Schermerhorn  street, 
Brooklyn,  I  called,  by  invitation  of  Miss  Fannie  Liv- 
ingston, at  the  house  of  her  sister. 


CHAPTEE   XVIIL 

BROOKLYN  CURIOSITIES — ITS  CHURCHES  AND  PARSONS — NOB- 
WOOD'S  PULPIT  DECLAMATIONS  TO  THE  SHODDY — AT  HOME 
WITH  FANNIE  IN  SCHERMERHORN  STREET — HAPPY  MAR- 
RIAGE— MADAME  LYON'S  MATRIMONIAL  BUREAU. 

Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  owes  much  of  its  progressive  enter- 
prise and  commercial  prosperity  to  its  close  proximity 
to  New  York,  so  easily  accessible  at  all  hours  by  means 
of  the  several  ferries.  The  aristocratic  as  well  as 
the  middle  strata  of  society  mingling  in  the  same  throng, 
establish  a  cosmopolitan  character  in  its  people,  as  well 
as  in  the  propinquity  of  their  homes ;  the  same  is  ob- 
servable in  the  several  denominations  of  Christian  wor- 
ship, with  one  exception,  only.  This  city  is  styled  the 
city  of  churches,  and  these  divine  blessings  exert  their 
influence  for  good  over  a  wide  field,  through  the  cleri- 
cal zeal  and  eloquence  exhibited  by  the  several  pastors. 
Their  praiseworthy  style  of  eloquence  and  zeal  is  of  a 
marked  character  and  the  portrayals  of  the  many  illus- 
trations of  the  Divine  Gospel,  are  given  in  that  simplicity 
of  language  that  lends  force  and  religious  example,  in 
many  of  the  beautiful  edifices  that  adorn  the  city. 
There  is  one,  however,  in  which  that  simplicity  is  fre- 
quently departed  from,  and  parables  (as  taught  by  the 
Saviour  of  the  world)  are  laid  aside,  and  isms  and 
theories,  outside  the  pale  of  Gospel  truths,  are  dissem- 


100 

mated  in  a  style  of  eloquence  and  language  more  be- 
fitting the  halls  of  legislation  or  the  forum. 

This  is  more  observable  in  the  church  of  the  excep- 
tion, where  conservators  of  the  public  peace,  in  uniform, 
are  stationed  at  either  side  of  the  vestibule,  who  politely 
inform  strangers  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shoddy  and  family 
are  pew-owners,  and  must  enter  first  and  be  seated  be- 
fore the  intending  worshiper  can  gain  entrance,  or  even 
lay  claim  to  standing-room.  This  system  of  admis- 
sion lends  a  theatrical  air  to  the  outside  architecture  of 
the  sacred  pile,  besides  crowds  are  drawn  thither  more 
from  curiosity  to  learn  the  peculiar  doctrines  so  elo- 
quently pleaded,  than  from  a  purer  desire  to  worship 
their  Creator. 

The  evening  I  called  upon  Miss  Livingston  at  the 
home  of  her  sister,  Mrs,  Ayres,  was  one  of  mirth  and 
festivity  in  the  household.  The  knowledge  that  Miss 
Fannie  had  returned  home  gave  vent  to  much  rejoic- 
ing, and  the  several  members  of  her  Sabbath-school  took 
advantage  of  this  circumstance,  and  gathered  together 
in  the  form  of  a  surprise  party.  When  I  reached  No. — 
Schermerhorn  street,  in  obedience  to  the  invitation  from 
Miss  Fannie,  I  found  two  gentleman  friends  of  hers, 
and  several  young  ladies,  awaiting  admission  at  the  door. 
Entering  with  them,  I  sent  my  card  by  the  maid-ser- 
vant to  Mrs.  Ayres ;  that  lady  politely  welcomed  me,  at 
the  same  time  informing  me  of  the  surprise  to  Miss 
Fannie,  and  my  hitherto  unknown  correspondent  also 
came  forward  and  bade  me  a  respectful  welcome.  The 
formal  restraint  of  an  introduction  in  the  usual  way 
lost  much  of  its  conventionality,  and  I  oifered  much  of 
my  company  to  the  good  host  and  hostess,  discussing 
the  seeming  unalloyed  happiness  that  young  persons 
experience  in  such  social  gatherings,  and  particularly 


101 

when  emanating  from  such  a  source  as  the  one  which 
was  then  manifesting  itself.  The  young  lady  Mends 
of  Miss  Fannie  regarded  me  as  a  business  acquaintance 
of  Mr.  Ayres,  consequently  they  had  no  opportunity 
of  determining  whether  she  and  I  had  given  way  to 
any  "  interchange  of  thought."  She  very  prudently 
kept  a  record  of  her  own  thoughts,  and  left  no  room  for 
her  young  friends  to  misconstrue  her  course.  Much  of 
the  evening  was  spent  in  discussing  the  topic  of  re- 
ligion, and  the  influence  that  it  exerted  on  the  young 
mind  when  properly  inculcated,  by  divesting  its  holy 
truths  of  that  prejudice  existing  in  illiberal  and  illiter- 
ate minds,  that  this  and  that  doctrine  was  the  only 
straight  road  that  led  souls  to  salvation.  In  fact,  this 
theory  was  considered  by  Mrs.  Ayres  as  the  only  saving 
grace,  and  Mr.  Ayres  assured  her  that  such  illiberality 
would  not  obtain  for  her  church  as  many  converts  as  if 
she  pursued  a  more  considerate  course,  and  in  keeping 
with  a  spirit  of  religious  harmony. 

Mr.  Ayres  was  an  Episcopalian.  Mrs.  Ayres  and 
Fannie,  her  sister,  although  endowed  with  intellectual 
advantages  of  a  high  order,  did  not  partake  of  the 
broader  scope  of  religious  toleration  that  he  would  de- 
sire, and  although  no  discord  was  apparent  in  the  house- 
hold, I  could  discern  a  certain  feeling  of  unpleasant 
embarrassment  in  Mr.  A.,  at  the  narrow  and  unchrist- 
ian ideas  of  religion  in  Mrs.  Ayres.  I  was  compelled, 
from  conscientious  conviction,  to  sustain  the  views  of 
Mr.  Ayers,  in  opposition  to  those  of  his  good  lady,  and 
to  my  great  relief  the  subject  of  religion  was  never  re- 
verted to  on  any  subsequent  occasion  that  I  visited 
the  family ;  it  would  seem  that  the  topic  was  perma- 
nently abandoned,  as  far  as  I  was  looked  upon  as  a  sub- 
ject for  conversation. 


102 

Miss  Livingston  had  little  time  that  evening  to  attend 
to  the  matter  of  literary  thought,  and  she  offered  the 
most  polite  apology  for  any  disappointment  that  I  had 
experienced.  I  pleased  her  by  saying,  "  that  it  afforded 
me  a  very  agreeable  disappointment,  as  it  had  assured 
me  that  she  was  the  centre  of  so  much  merited  esteem  ; 
besides,  it  was  a  very  opportune  occurrence,  as  it  gave 
me  an  introduction  to  such  a  pleasing  circle  of  her  ac- 
quaintances." At  the  breaking  up  of  the  evening's  en- 
tertainment, I  retired  with  the  rest  of  the  company,  and 
an  invitation  was  extended  to  me  by  the  ladies  (in  which 
Miss  Fannie  joined)  to  visit  their  church  on  the  follow- 
ing Sabbath ;  but  a  previous  engagement  I  had  made 
prevented  me  from  so  doing.  I  visited  their  church, 
however,  at  a  reunion  of  choristers,  for  practice,  in  which 
I  took  a  part,  on  a  subsequent  Sabbath. 

Miss  Livingston  and  myself  frequently  entered  into 
a  literary  disquisition  on  many  topics,  ignoring  the  one 
in  which  her  sister  was  so  proficient.  On  many  occa- 
sional visits,  the  discussion  of  the  several  other  themes, 
and  the  manner  of  their  introduction,  afforded  an  evi- 
dence to  me  of  a  highly  cultivated  intellect  in  the 
young  lady ;  and  as  I  have  not  afforded  the  reader  a 
sketch  of  her  figure  or  general  appearance,  it  will  not 
be  considered  a  readable  chapter  unless  that  is  given. 

Miss  Livingston,  although  possessed  of  only  twenty- 
one  year's  experience  in  the  school  of  the  world,  was, 
nevertheless,  in  the  possession  of  much  that  many 
young  ladies  should  most  assiduously  guard — a  reputa- 
tion for  honorable  distinction  in  everything  that  per- 
tained to  her  future  advancement.  I  was  clearly  of 
opinion  that  she  never  would  have  undertaken  the  part 
of  writing  her  letter  from  Saccarappa,  were  it  not  for 
incentives  not  of  her  own  seeking  or  volition.  First  in 


103 

order  the  advertisement  in  the  Waverly,  next  the  impor- 
tunities of  Miss  Hargreaves,  in  order  to  remove  the 
monotony  of  country  life ;  and  next,  to  afford  me  an 
assurance  that  even  in  the  ';  far  end  of  sun-down,"  there 
might  be  found  one  possessed  of  literary  genius,  and  of 
pure  and  cultivated  thoughts.  Miss  L.  needed  to  make 
no  extraneous  effort  on  her  part  to  render  herself  accept- 
able to  any  gentleman ;  she  was  in  possession  of  all  the 
graces  and  refinements  that  adorn  the  true  lady,  and 
she  well  knew  how  far  to  advance,  and  not  depart  from 
the  principles  of  genuine  etiquette,  or  moral  consist- 
ency. Her  flowing,  wavy  auburn  ringlets,  lent  addi- 
tional grace  to  her  ladylike  figure,  which  was  above  the 
middle  hight ;  her  clear  blue  eye  could  discern  all  the 
advantages  or  disadvantages  of  her  adversary,  either  on 
a  point  in  discussion,  or  in  a  matter  that  would  require 
a  more  mature  deliberation. 

The  high  estimation  in  which  she  was  held  by  her 
young  lady  companions,  was  evidence  that  her  amia- 
bility and  gentleness  of  manner  had  won  for  her  distinc- 
tion that  all  tried  to  emulate,  but  none  to  envy ;  and 
so  far  as  we  seek  to  find  perfection  in  one  of  so  imma- 
ture an  age,  she  had  at  least  attained  a  degree  of  supe- 
rior intellectual  intelligence  that  entitled  her  to  rank 
first  in  order  in  female  society.  Her  prose  composi- 
tions, which  were  for  the  most  part  of  a  religious  order, 
were  distinguished  for  singular  beauty  of  thought,  ele- 
gance of  language  and  diction,  and  in  aspiring  to  things 
celestial.  In  many  of  the  "interchanges  of  thought" 
which  I  had  the  pleasure  of  communicating  with  Miss 
Livingston,  I  learned  that  she  owed  much  of  her  intel- 
lectual culture  to  the  influence  of  her  deceased  parent, 
who,  she  informed  me,  caused  her  to  be  his  amanuensis 
at  the  early  age  of  nine  years,  often  copying  his  sermons 


104 

while  he  would  dictate  to  her  as  he  paced  up  and  down 
his  library,  Then,  under  the  gentle  training  of  an 
amiable  mother,  she  was  taught  those  simple  traits  in 
the  domestic  character  that  lend  an  additional  charm 
to  the  higher  virtues  of  woman. 

Of  the  many  contrasts  of  which  Miss  Livingston  sup- 
posed I  had  but  little  experience,  and  in  which  she  as- 
sumed to  know  so  much,  she  was  indebted  to  Miss 
Hargreaves  for  the  knowledge  of  many  of  them.  I 
learned  that  that  young  lady  was  also  a  resident  of 
Brooklyn,  and  was  a  constant  companion  of  Miss  Liv- 
ingston. Her  society  was  regarded,  in  the  family  of 
Mrs.  Ay  res,  as  very  agreeable,  from  the  fact  that  her 
parents,  who  were  formerly  in  good  circumstances,  be- 
coming reduced  by  commercial  disappointments  Mr. 
Hargreaves,  her  father,  by  an  honorable  statement 
to  his  creditors,  was  enabled  to  retain  their  family 
house,  and  compounded  his  indebtedness  in  such  a 
satisfactory  manner  as  enabled  him  to  resume  his  busi- 
ness, without  blasting  his  hopes  of  success  in  the  bank- 
ruptcy court  By  a  prudent  reduction  in  household 
expenditure  from  a  former  style  of  living,  Mr.  Har- 
greaves, with  the  aid  of  his  thrifty  and  economical  wife, 
was  gradually  liquidating  his  monetary  liabilities  and 
establishing  confidence  with  his  creditors. 

During  the  interval  of  prosperity  in  the  business  of 
Mr.  Hargreaves,  his  hqflfce  was  frequently  visited  by  a 
young  gentleman  whosfc  pretended  friendship  for  his 
daughter,  Miss  Hargreaves,  assumed  so  much  of  the 
agreeable,  that  it  had  inspired  such  a  degree  of  confi- 
dence in  the  mind  of  me  young  lady,  and  also  in  the 
minds  of  her  parents,  that  it  was  considered  by  all  her 
friends  as  "  a  match."  But  alas  for  human  weakness. 
When  the  business  crash  came  to  Mr.  Hargreaves,  it 


106 

also  came  to  Mr,  Dross,  who  occupied  a  position  in  the 
banking  house  of  Lockwood  &  Co. 

The  temporary  suspension  in  the  business  of  Mr. 
Hargreaves  gave  rise  to  a  grave  doubt  in  the  mind  of 
Mr.  Dross,  that  the  failure  had  made  such  inroads  into 
the  financial  wealth  of  his  intended  father-in-law  that 
little  remained  in  expectancy  for  a  share  toward  Miss 
Hargreaves;  then  appeared  the  shallowness  of  his 
friendship  toward  that  young  lady  and  her  family,  and 
his  visits,  which  were  very  frequent  in  the  hours  of 
prosperity,  were  then  nearly  discontinued  in  their  hour 
of  adversity.  "  Amiens  certus  in  re  inceria  cemitur." 

Miss  Hargreaves,  with  the  weakness  of  her  sex,  very 
naturally  gave  vent  to  a  certain  feeling  of  distrust  in 
mankind  generally,  and  in  such  a  degree  did  the  false- 
ness of  Mr.  Dross  present  itself  to  her  youthful  mind, 
that  its  effect  was  gradually  undermining  her  constitu- 
tion, and  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  the  family  physi- 
cian to  send  her  to  the  country  for  change  of  scene  and 
air,  in  the  hope  that  it  would  restore  her  mind  and 
health  to  its  former  vigor.  It  was  in  the  companion- 
ship of  Miss  Livingston  that  she  found  so  much  of  re- 
cuperative enjoyment ;  and  in  the  society  of  that  young 
lady,  at  the  "  far  end  of  sun-down,"  learned  to  forget 
her  faithless  Dross,  and  the  insincerity  of  his  vows. 

This  was  one  of  the  contrasts  that  was  made  familiar 
to  the  mind  of  Miss  Livingston  by  her  young  friend, 
and  another  was  found  in  a  new  field,  which  Miss  Har- 
greaves had  penetrated  before  she  consulted  her  friend 
and  companion,  when  she  answered  the  advertisement 
in  the  Waverfy  Magazine.  This  was  in  answering  an 
advertisement  which  appeared  in  the  Herald,  as  follows  : 

Mme.  Lyon's  Matrimonial  Bureau,  134  Bleecker  street.    Matri- 
monial alliances  between  respectable  parties,  with  or  without 
14 


106 

means,  city  and  country,  negotiated.      Strictest  confidence  ob- 
served.    Hours  1  to  9,  p.  M. 

Any  person  of  ordinary  discernment  can  readily  un- 
derstand the  meaning  of  such  an  advertisement  as  the 
above.  It  is,  in  ordinary  phrase,  an  assignation  office, 
where  innocent  and  unsuspecting  girls  are  led  to  vice 
and  ruin.  Under  the  guise  of  making  a  matrimonial 
alliance  with  some  gentleman  suited  to  the  views  or 
taste  of  her  unsuspecting  victim,  this  vile  woman  first 
exacts  a  fee  of  five  dollars,  merely  to  place  one  of  her 
own  sex  in  communication  with  some  corner  loafer,  or 
perhaps  roue  or  gambler,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  in 
which  she  has  her  bureau — and  their  name  is  legion  in 
that  particular  region.  Miss  Livingston,  in  order  to 
show  to  me  another  of  the  contrasts  which  she  knew 
of,  handed  to  me  a  letter  which  Miss  Hargreaves 
gave  her,  after  obtaining  a  knowledge  of  its  character 
from  Miss  Livingston,  whose  virtuous  mind  pointed  out 
to  her  young  and  inexperienced  friend  the  impropriety 
and  evil  effects  of  replying  to  such  vile  allurements. 
The  letter  was  written  in  a  good  business  style  of  hand- 
writing, and  read  as  follows  : 

MME.  LYON'S  MATRIMONIAL  AND  PERSONAL  BUREAU, 
134  Bleecker  street,  New  York. 

Miss  H. — Your  favor  of  the  4th  at  hand.  Concerning  the  ad- 
vertisement to  which  you  refer,  allow  me  to  say  is  from  a  strictly 
honorable  source,  as  I  intend  all  business  transacted  through 
the  medium  of  my  bureau  shall  be,  also  strictly  confidential.  On 
receipt  of  $5.00, 1  would  be  happy  to  place  you  in  correspond- 
ence with  some  gentleman  to  your  taste,  until  suited.  My  re- 
ward after  you  are  suited,  I  will  leave  to  your  own  discretion. 

Yours  respectfully, 

MME.  LYON. 


107 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  in  such  a  city  as  this, 
that  vile  impostors,  such  as  Madame  Lyon,  can  find  a 
profitable  field  for  her  new  bureau.  Yet  it  is  a  dis- 
grace to  our  laws,  that  some  provision  is  not  made  by 
our  municipal  authorities  to  stamp  out  such  vile 
wretches  as  Madame  DeVere  and  Madame  Lyon,  who 
prey  upon  the  ignorance  or  cupidity  of  their  own  sex, 
and  then  abandon  them  when  they  complete  their  deg- 
radation and  ruin.  Then  again,  this  class  of  vice  will 
ripen  and  become  an  organized  mart  of  commerce,  so 
long  as  the  local  magistrates  wink  at  the  nefarious  traffic ; 
and  from  the  fact  that  the  respective  Madames  act  in 
concert  with  the  ward  gamblers  who  lend  their  influence 
at  the  election  polls  to  elect  their  favorite  judges,  they 
may  organize  and  carry  on  as  many  bureaus  as  they 
please,  under  any  other  name. 

It  is  now  proper  to  say  that  Miss  Hargreaves  never 
placed  her  name  on  Madame  DeVere's  or  Madame  Lyon's 
blotter.  That  young  lady  took  the  advice  of  her  good 
friend  Miss  Livingston  and  the  author  of  these  pages,  in 
shunning  all  such  advertisements  headed  "Personals." 
The  author's  object  being  accomplished  in  ascertaining 
the  class  of  ladies  who  notice  them ;  and  for  the  purpose 
of  aiding  the  pages  of  this  book,  the  "  interchanges 
of  thought,"  with  Miss  Livingston  and  Miss  Ilar- 
greaves,  were  now  regarded  as  of  literary  friendship 
only ;  which  I  am  pleased  to  say  has  never  been  marred 
by  an  unworthy  thought  These  young  ladies  are  now 
in  the  enjoyment  of  many  blessings,  and  adorning  their 
own  homes,  and  bringing  joy  and  happiness  to  their 
loved  lords  of  creation,  in  the  City  of  Churches. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

A  NURSE  WANTED — SNARES  FOR  THE  INNOCENT — Miss   FLO- 
RENCE PETITE — IN  THE  LION'S  JAWS. 

It  is  not  advertisements  on  matters  of  the  heart  alone, 
that  the  young  should  look  upon  with  suspicion.  The 
serpent  not  infrequently  assumes  attractive  shapes 
and  forms,  by  which  to  entrap  the  unwary  victim ;  and 
woe  to  his  deadly  embraces.  Not  infrequently  an  at- 
tractive advertisement  is  inserted  in  one  of  the  daily 
journals,  under  the  title  of"  a  nurse  wanted,"  "  a  travel- 
ing companion's  situation,"  &c.,  &c. 

The  author  has  in  his  mind's  eye  a  notice  of  this 
character  that  struck  him  at  once  as  a  cunningly  de- 
vised trap — a  snare  set  for  young  women,  and  that  class 
of  young  women,  too,  whose  past  lives  have  been 
spotless.  It  ran  thus : 

WANTED — A  gentleman,  resident  of  Chicago,  temporarily  so- 
journing in  this  city,  has  been  commissioned  by  a  wealthy  and 
highly  respectable  lady  of  the  former  city  to  secure  for  her  a 
child's  nurse.  The  applicant  must  be  young,  of  unblemished 
reputation,  good-looking,  kind,  and  accomplished,  and  capable 
of  imparting  the  primary  branches  of  an  English  education,  as 
well  as  adorning  a  parlor.  To  the  right  party,  liberal  remuner- 
ation and  a  sumptuous  home  are  offered.  Apply  personally  to 
Mr.  J.  N.  C.,  No. —  Depau  Row,  Bleecker  street,  between  8,  A.M. 
and  4,  P.M.,  to-day. 


109 

This  cunningly  concocted  announcement  was  well 
calculated  to  interest  the  minds  of  ladies  who  aspired 
to  an  honest  and  easy  life,  and  lull  the  suspicions  of 
the  inexperienced  in  the  tricks  and  devices  adopted  by 
consumers  of  printers'  ink  and  paper.  Many,  with  buoy- 
ant hearts,  as  the  author  subsequently  ascertained,  hur- 
ried, at  the  time  announced  by  the  card,  to  the  place, 
for  an  interview  with  the  advertiser.  All  were  received 
in  the  costly  furnished  parlor  by  an  elderly  gentleman, 
whose  genial  countenance  and  fatherly  greeting  well 
concealed  the  fact  that  a  villain's  heart  lurked  beneath 
a  benevolent  subsoil. 

Florence  Petite  was  one  of  the  number  who  strolled 
into  the  parlor  at  No. —  Depau  Row.  She  was  a  mere 
child  of  fifteen  summers,  whose  mother  has  recently 
figured  prominently  in  a  celebrated  suit  against  a  Jer- 
sey miser  for  divorce  and  alimony.  If  one-half  the 
reports  flying  about  the  air  of  a  celebrated  editorial 
establishment  be  true,  Miss  Florence  Petite  could  not 
fill  one  essential  condition  of  the  advertisement;  but 
what  of  that?  To  J.  N.  C.,  her  antecedents  and  in- 
trigues with  literary  gentleman — critics  who  may  review 
these  humble  offerings  of  the  author — were  not  known. 
Possessed  of  a  petite  figure,  eyes  that  in  color  and  ex- 
pression vied  with  those  of  Egypt's  regal  queen  ;  hair 
beautiful  as  unalloyed  gold,  falling  over  a  neck  and 
shoulders  white  and  spotless  as  Arctic  icebergs ;  lips 
like  ripened  fruit  in  the  pleasant  autumn,  and  cheeks 
vieing  in  the  richness  and  delicacy  of  their  tints  with 
the  magnolia  blossom  ;  Florence's  appearance  was  well 
calculated  to  warm  the  blood  and  arouse  in  the  breast 
of  a  man,  as  old  as  J.  N.  C.  appeared  to  be,  emotions 
and  desires  that  rarely  affect  the  chaste  and  high- 
toned  gentleman. 


110 

A  brief  interview,  during  which  Miss  Petite  gave 
herself  entirely  into  the  confidence  of  the  monster  and 
fiend,  convinced  him,  that  in  her  he  could  possess  a 
pearl  of  price,  and  Aer,  that  a  new  life  was  opened  to 
her ;  that  a  pleasant  path  was  stretched  out  by  fate,  in 
which,  in  a  distant  State,  she  must  travel ;  that  away  in 
the  West,  where  she  was  unknown,  she  could  reign  a 
belle,  and,  perhaps,  win  the  affections  of  Alfred  Simp- 
son, the  son  of  her  new  patroness,  whose  manly  mien  and 
rapidly  developing  talents  at  the  bar  had  been  elo- 
quently portrayed  to  her  by  J.  N.  C. 

Passing  over  the  minor  details  of  the  hour's  inter- 
view between  Florence  and  J.  N.  C.,  it  is  sufficient  for 
our  purpose  to  say,  that  of  the  fifty  persons  who  ap- 
plied for  the  situation,  Miss  Florence  Petite  was  the 
accepted  one,  and  the  following  day  was  agreed  upon 
for  her  departure  for  the  West.  Bidding  J.  N.  C.  an 
adieu,  Miss  Florence  tripped  down  the  steps  of  the  Row 
with  buoyant  heart,  and  mingled,  a  moment  or  so  after- 
ward with  the  swaying,  hurrying  crowd  of  strollers  that 
line  either  side  of  Broadway.  She  bent  her  steps  intui- 
tively homeward,  away  up  on  a  street  running  across 
Broadway,  where,  in  a  little  cottage  her  mother  watched 
for  her  return.  The  thoughts  that  flitted  across  that 
young  mind,  as  she  slowly  wended  her  way  up  the 
great  thoroughfare,  can  not  be  known,  but  may  be  im- 
agined. Florence  was  dreaming  in  her  wakeful  ness — 
dreaming  of  the  new  home  which  she  was  so  soon  to  enter, 
picturing  to  herself  its  surroundings,  building  castles  in 
the  air,  in  one  of  which  she  beheld  herself  Alfred 
Simpson's  wife,  the  mistress  of  a  costly  establishment, 
with  money,  servants,  and  carriages  at  her  command. 
She  finally,  in  the  midst  of  her  reverie,  reached  the 
little  gate  that  led  to  their  humble  cottage,  sitting  back 


Ill 

there  some  feet  from  the  street,  and  lifting  her  eyes, 
surveyed  it  critically.  Never  had  it,  to  her,  looked  so 
uninviting,  so  cheerless  and  insignificant — home  had  lost 
all  its  attractions  in  a  few  brief  fleeting  hours  of  absence. 
She  passed  within ;  but  there  we  will  not  intrude,  as  it  is 
a  sacred  spot,  the  vail  of  which  should  not  be  pierced 
by  prying  eyes. 

On  the  following  morning,  Florence  was  up  with  the 
sun,  and  nine  o'clock  found  her  again  in  J.  N.  C's.  par- 
lor, where  final  preparations  were  being  agreed  upon. 
An  hour  after,  she  was  liberally  provided  with  money, 
and  a  portion  of  the  day  was  spent  under  the  inspection  of 
a  French  milliner  in  Fourth  street ;  four  o'clock  found 
all  the  preliminaries  for  the  journey  completed.  J.  N. 
C.  advised  that  his  protege  should  not  communicate 
her  intended  departure  to  Mrs.  P.,  her  mother  ;  a  prop- 
osition in  which  she  fully  acquiesced.  Later  in  the 
day,  she  was  escorted  to  the  door  of  No  —  by  J.  N.  C.f 
who  pressed  her  hand  lightly  and  whispered :  "  at  five 
o'clock,  then,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Thirtieth  street ; 
I  shall  be  there  with  a  carriage,  Remember,  five 
o'clock  to-night,  sharp.  Good-by." 

At  the  hour  named,  a  closed  carriage  stopped  in  front 
of  Wood's  Museum,  and  a  gentleman  threw  open  the 
door.  Simultaneous  with  the  movement,  Florence,  whose 
thick  vail  fell  down  over  her  eyes,  stepped  out  from  the 
vestibule,  grasped  the  hand  extended  from  the  carriage, 
and  was  drawn  within.  The  door  closed  with  a  loud  re- 
port, and  the  next  instant  the  carriage  drove  rapidly 
away  in  the  direction  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad 
depot,  where  in  a  brief  space  of  time  after,  Miss  Petite's 
only  trunk  was  checked  through  to  Chicago. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A   VAILED   LADY'S   VISIT   TO   AN    INSPECTOK   OF  POLICE — A 
MOTHER'S   TEAKS  AND  FEAKS. 

The  scene  changes  again.  It  is  now  the  office  of  the 
Inspector  of  Police,  in  Mulberry  street,  and  the  time  is 
seven  o'clock,  evening  of  the  18th  day  of  March.  The 
Inspector  and  the  author  were  killing  time  and  con- 
suming our  segars,  when  a  timid  knock  was  heard  at 
the  door.  "  Come  in !  "  commanded  Colonel  Jameson. 

In  response  to  the  invitation,  the  door  was  pushed 
ajar,  and  a  female  closely  vailed  stood  before  us.  Her 
appearance  was  in  striking  contrast  to  that  of  the  class 
of  persons  who  call  at  that  building ;  and  I  remarked 
that  her  carriage,  manner  of  address,  and  conversation, 
stamped  her  as  one  to  the  manor  born.  The  visitor  slowly 
advanced  to  the  inner  room,  where  we  were  enjoying 
our  tete-a-tete,  and  lifting  her  vail,  courteously  asked :  "  Is 
the  Inspector  of  Police  in  ?  "  "  Yes,  ma'am  that  is 
my  rank,"  said  Col.  J.,  rising,  advancing  and  bowing. 

"I  have  some  business  with  you,"  she  continued; 
"  important  business  ;  can  I  not  see  you  alone  ?  "  The 
latter  remark  was  called  forth  by  the  discovery  that  the 
Inspector  had  company ;  and  she  slowly  retired  to 
the  rear  apartment 

The  Inspector  followed,  and  seating  himself  beside 
his  interviewer,  he  requested  her  to  speak 


113 

"  I  wish,  sir,  to  consult  you.  My  little  daughter  has 
been  abducted — stolen — carried  away  by  a  scoundrel, 
for  a  heinous  purpose,  I  fear.  Can  you  aid  me  ?  " 

"I  trust  so,"  replied  the  urbane  Inspector.  ''Let  me 
know  the  facts." 

"  "Well,  sir,  my  daughter  Florence  has  disappeared. 
She  is  only  fifteen  years  of  age,  unacquainted  with  the 
traps  set  for  young  women  ;  and,  besides,  is  very  beauti- 
ful. I  fear,  indeed,  I  know,  she  has  fallen  into  the  talons 
of  a  villain,  and  they  have  left  the  city  to-night  in  com- 
pany." 

"  What  direction  did  they  take  ?  "  Inquired  the  In- 
spector. 

"  They  left  about  an  hour  ago,  by  the  Hudson  Eiver 
Railroad.  A  friend  of  Florence  saw  her  enter  a  car- 
riage in  which  was  an  elderly  gentleman.  That  carriage 
was  then  driven  to  the  depot ;  that  is  all  I  know.  Do 
aid  me  if  you  can,"  exclaimed  the  mother,  covering  her 
face  with  her  gloved  hand  and  sobbing  violently. 

"  Can  you  describe  her  dress  ?  "  asked  the  Colonel 

"Yes,  sir,  fully." 

The  Inspector  took  a  pen,  and  made  hurried  mem- 
oranda from  the  lady's  dictation,  and  on  concluding 
handed  her  the  following  dispatch  : 

OFFICE  OF  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  METROPOLITAN  POLICE, 

300  Mulberry  street,  N.  Y.,  March  18,  1869. 
*  To  CAMPBELL  ALLEN,  Chief  of  Police,  Albany,  N.  Y. : 

Arrest  Florence  P.,  aged  15  years,  dressed  in  water-proof  suit, 
with  cape  lined  with  red  flannel ;  black  velvet  sailor  hat,  with 
wide  blue  ribbon  ;  fair  complexion,  dark  hazel  eyes,  rich  auburn 
hair,  crimped  and  worn  over  the  shoulders — supposed  to  have 
been  abducted  by  an  unknown  man. 

WILLIAM  JAMESON,  Inspector. 

*  Should  any  one  doubt  the  correctness  of  these  statements,  a  reference  to  the 
Blotter  In  the  Inspector's  office  will  show  a  copy  of  the  above  entry,  under  date 
of  March  18.  The  author  saw  it  copied  thereon. 

15 


114 

"  There,"  said  the  polite  Inspector,  handing  the  dis- 
patch to  his  visitor,  "  that  will  secure  her  return  ;  now, 
make  your  mind  easy." 

"Thanks,  sir;  many  thanks.  I  am  deeply  grateful. 
O,  Lord,  protect  my  child  from  evil,"  exclaimed  Mrs. 
V.,  as  she  arose  to  depart.  "  You  will  send  it  at  once, 
sir,  won't  you?  " 

"  Certainly,  madam  ;  but  it  will  be  necessary  for  you 
to  prepay  the  charges  for  its  transmission." 

The  vailed  lady,  who  had  in  the  interim  dropped 
her  vail,  betrayed  considerable  confusion,  and  ner- 
vously drawing  out  her  porte-monnaie  examined  its 
folds  hurriedly. 

"I  am  sorry  to  say  I  can't  pay  it  now,"  she  said,  re- 
closing  the  porte-monnaie ;  "  I  started  in  such  a  hurry  that 
I  neglected  to  bring  sufficient  money  with  me ;  but  I 
shall  return;  for  the  present,  good-evening." 

The  Inspector  escorted  the  vailed  lady  to  the  door, 
and  she  disappeared  from  our  view.  We  resumed  our 
segars,  and  sat  in  conversation  late  into  the  night,  but 
our  stately  visitor  failed  to  return. 

"  How  is  it  she  has  not  returned  ?  "  I  asked,  on  tak- 
ing my  leave. 

"  0,  I  suppose  she  could  not  secure  the  money.  It 
is  a  common  practice  for  people  to  come  on  such  busi- 
ness, expecting  the  office  to  pay  all  expenses  of  tele- 
graphing. After  all,  she  may  be  a  beat,"  responded  the 
Inspector,  as  we  parted. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  RAILROAD  TO  RUIN — THE  VILLAIN  UNMASKS  HIMSELF — 
FLORENCE  RESCUED  FOR  A  FATE  EQUALLY  AS  WRETCHED 
— THE  BEAUTIFUL  LOBBYIST  OF  THE  CAPITOL. 

A  few  days  subsequent  to  the  visit  of  the  vailed  lady 
to  the  Inspector  of  Police,  as  narrated  in  the  preced- 
ing chapter,  the  author  had  occasion  to  peruse  a  Buf- 
falo morning  paper.  One  of  the  first  articles  that  at- 
tracted his  notice,  was  an  account  of  Miss  Florence 
Petite's  rescue  from  a  life  of  shame.  The  article  read : 

The  facts  in  a  very  interesting  case  of  deception,  that  for 
heartlessness  and  villainy  has  few  parallels,  have  just  come  to 
our  knowledge.  On  the  arrival  of  the  New  York  Express  in 
this  city  yesterday  morning,  a  beautiful  young  girl,  whose  face 
betokened  simplicity  and  innocence,  but  also  a  high  degree  of 
intelligence,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  police  officer  on  duty 
at  the  depot,  by  some  of  the  passengers,  who  expressed  their  be- 
lief that  she  had  been  abducted  or  enticed  away  from  home  by 
an  elderly  man,  who  accompanied  her,  and  whose  motive  was 
doubtless  to  place  her  in  some  den  of  fashionable  iniquity,  as  she 
is  surpassingly  beautiful.  They  state  that  she  took  the  train  in 
New  York,  in  company  with  the  gentleman — we  might  say  fiend, 
or  devil — who  seemed  to  exercise  a  parental  solicitude  for  her 
welfare.  Shortly  after  the  train  left  Troy,  the  young  lady  and 
her  escort,  who  occupied  seats  in  the  sleeping  coach,  had  a  vio- 
lent quarrel,  which  resulted  in  the  girl,  who  gives  the  name  of 
Florence  Petite,  leaving  him,  and  seeking  the  protection  offered 
by  a  vacant  seat  near  a  gentleman  and  his  wife.  There  is  always 


116 

a  sympathy  existing  between  women,  that  enables  one  to  look 
down  into  the  heart  of  another  and  read  her  thoughts.  So  it 
was  in  this  case.  The  lady  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  child  ; 
drew  her  tenderly  to  her  bosom,  and  learned  the  cause  of  her 
misfortune.  It  seems  that  the  girl  was  employed  by  the  man  to 
go  to  Chicago,  to  fill  the  office  of  nurse.  During  the  night-ride 
conversation  turned  upon  Chicago,  and  the  new  home  that  she 
was  to  enter.  The  lecherous  old  reprobate  won  the  confidence 
of  the  child,  and,  late  in  the  night,  made  proposals  to  her  that, 
child  as  she  was,  she  understood  and  repulsed.  An  angry  alter- 
cation followed,  when  the  villain  threw  off  his  sanctimonious 
mask  and  proclaimed  his  true  character.  lie  proved  to  be  a 
dealer  in  obscene  pictures,  books,  and  "  gentlemen's  wear ;"  and 
unblushingly  announced  to  her,  that  she  could  live  with  him  as 
his  daughter  unsuspected,  and  would  be  required  to  perform  no 
other  duty  than  assist  in  the  packing  of  goods  for  his  agents. 
While  recounting  her  story  to  her  new  confidante,  the  young  vic- 
tim of  man's  treachery  wept  bitterly,  and  consequently  attracted 
the  notice  of  the  passengers.  On  her  condition  becoming 
known,  a  purse  was  made  up  to  enable  her  to  return  to  her 
friends,  and  on  the  arrival  of  the  train  in  this  city  she  was  turned 
over  to  the  officer  as  already  narrated. 

Yesterday  our  reporter  visited  the  girl  at  the  office  of  the 
Chief  of  Police,  when  she  recounted  to  him  the  circumstances  of 
her  departure  from  home,  substantially  as  recorded  above.  Miss 
Petite  is  a  young  daughter  of  a  highly  respectable  Knicker- 
bocker family — at  one  time  wealthy — but  now  reduced  in  circum- 
stances ;  and  a  desire  to  relieve  them  of  her  support,  added  to  a 
firm  reliance  in  her  own  abilities  to  buffet  with  the  world,  she 
avers,  alone  prompted  her  to  accept  the  inviting  offer  of  this  pro- 
curer, whose,  name  we  understand,  is  Cook.  He  is  said  to  have 
been  formerly  of  the  Chicago  bar.  The  girl  has  a  sweet  counte- 
nance, calculated  to  attract  villains.  Poor  little  creature  !  She  has 
had  a  narrow  escape,  indeed.  Miss  Florence  left  in  the  Express 
train  last  night  for  New  York,  and  doubtless  by  the  time  this 
is  perused  by  our  readers,  the  innocent  and  untarnished,  but  tired, 
dove  will  have  safely  reached  the  ark  again. 

Such  was  the  denouement  as  given  in  the  Buffalo 
paper.  Having  been  cognizant  of  some  portions  of  the 


case,  we  naturally  felt  disposed  to  pursue  our  investi- 
gations further.  Diligent  inquiry  made,  resulted  in 
the  discovery  that  Florence  returned  to  the  cottage, 
where  she  was  received  with  joy  by  the  vailed  lady  of 
the  Inspector's  office.  Most  persons  would  have  been 
satisfied  with  this  information,  but  a  pardonable  curi- 
osity said  :  "  don't  pause  yet!  "  Further  knowledge  as 
to  her  movements  was  for  a  time  denied  us,  however. 

In  January  of  this  year,  while  passing  through  Wall 
street,  we  felt  a  familiar  slap  upon  one  of  our  should- 
ers, and  a  moment  later  stood  face  to  face  with  Mr. 
Charles  Loveignes,  to  whom,  months  before,  we  had  re- 
counted the  incidents  of  the  preceding  chapters.  Af- 
ter the  usual  salutation,  his  face  lighted  up,  and  he 
exclaimed  : 

"  By  jove  !  I've  got  news  for  you." 

"  News  ?  What  is  it  ?    Let  us  have  it,  by  all  means." 

"Well,  don't  you  remember  pointing  out  to  me  on 
Broadway  one  day  a  little  angel,  a  protege  of  yours,  I 
believe,  Florence — 

"  Petite,"  we  broke  in.     u  What  of  her  ?  " 

"  Now,  don't  get  excited,  my  dear  fellow,  she  is  not 
.under  the  sod.  A  week  ago  I  was  in  Washington  on 
official  business,  and  I  saw  her ;  she  is  one  of  the  most 
successful  female  lobbyists  and  intriguers  in  our  gay  and 
corrupt  capital.  I  fear  the  lessons  learned  by  rail  have 
not  done  her  lasting  good.  She  visits  Senators  and 
Congressmen  in  the  chambers,  and  at  their  residences 
and  hotels ;  has  gained  access  to  diplomatic  circles,  and 
more  than  one  Representative's  head  has  been  turned 
by  the  beauty  of  Florence  Petite.  She  is  the  special 
envy  of  jealous  wives,  and  mark  me,  the  tongue  of 
scandal  is  not  tied." 

"  What  of  her  mother  ?  "  I  inquired. 


118 

"  She  is  here  in  New  York ;  you  have  probably  heard 
that  she  was  defeated  in  the  litigation  to  recover  ali- 
mony from  old  Commodore  V.,  and  one  night  took 
poison — " 

"  But  did  not  die,"  we  suggested, 

"  No ;  she  lives — a  broken-hearted  woman.  I  saw 
her  on  Broadway  two  days  ago,  a  mere  shadow  of  her 
former  self.  Poor  woman,  her's  has  been  a  severe 
trial." 

"  And  old  V,;  what  of  him  ?  "     We  inquired. 

"  0,  the  old  skinflint  is  over  in  Jersey,  counting  his 
bonds  and  looking  about  for  another  heart  to  break 
and  another  family  to  make  desolate." 

We  have  but  little  more  to  add  regarding  Miss  Flo- 
rence Petite.  Occasionally  she  visits  New  York,  when 
Congress  is  not  in  session ;  but  she  is  no  longer  the  in- 
nocent confiding  girl  of  fifteen,  who  responded  to  J.  N. 
C's.  advertisement,  and  was  afraid  to  confide  her  secret 
to  a  mother's  keeping,  and  ask  a  mother's  counsel. 
Had  she  been  guided  by  parental  advice,  and  shunned 
the  lascivious  company  of  ignoramuses  who  fill  positions 
of  critics,  and  reviewers  on  newspapers,  to-day  she 
might  be  a  pure  and  spotless  girl,  too  desirous  of  re 
taining  a  good  name  to  compromise  herself  by  associat- 
ing with  Congressmen  and  other  low  classes  of  people, 
who  flit  about  Washington  during  the  sessions  of  the 
National  Sanhedrim  of  ranting  upstarts,  aspiring 
schemers,  carpet-baggers,  reformed  blacklegs,  and  prize 
fighters. 


CHAPTEK  XXII. 

MRS.  LILLIE  SINGLETON — LIFE'S  TRIALS — IN  SEARCH  OF  EM- 
PLOYMENT— DECEIVED  AND  DISHEARTENED. 

During  a  conversation  one  evening  with  a  literary 
gentleman,  the  subject  of  newspaper  personals  and  ad- 
vertisements of  a  like  character  was  discussed.  He  de- 
tailed several  cases  of  disappointment  and  ruin,  grow- 
ing out  of  this  pernicious  practice,  some  of  which  had 
come  within  his  own  observation.  The  incidents  of 
one  of  the  narratives  impressed  themselves  so  indelibly 
upon  my  memory  that  I  will  produce  it  as  nearly  as 
possible  in  the  words  of  the  narrator. 

"  There  is  one  case  in  which  I  figured,"  said  Captain 
Daily,  "  that  should  serve  as  a  warning  to  females,  to 
consider  well  before  answering  an  advertisement  of 
'wants.'  You  know  that  in  1862  I  filled  the  position 
of  city  editor  of  a  leading  daily  journal  in  Detroit- 
That  city  was  the  scene  of  the  adventure,  and  the  inci- 
dents I  will  detail  to  you  if  you  have  time  and  patience 
to  listen,  for  it  is  a  long  story." 

"  Certainly,  Captain,  proceed,  if  it  consumes  an  hour," 
we  responded.  "  Let  us  have  it,  by  all  means." 

"  Well,  let  me  see,"  continued  he,  pressing  his  fore 
head  for  a  moment  in  the  endeavor  to  recall  something. 

"It  was  in  April,  1862,  I  boarded  at  the  Exchange 
Hotel,  and  had  extensive  acquaintances  with  the  families 


120 

there  sojourning.  Every  day  after  dinner  I  was  in  the 
habit  of  strolling  into  the  parlors  and  chatting  an  hour 
with  my  lady  friends.  On  one  occasion,  while  so  occu- 
pied, ray  attention  was  called  by  a  Mrs,  Denton  to  one 
corner  of  the  parlor,  where,  partially  hidden  in  the  da- 
mask curtains,  was  a  female  weeping.  I  learned  from 
Mrs.  Denton  that  the  woman — girl  would  be  more 
appropriate,  for  she  did  not  appear  over  eighteen  years 
of  age — had  arrived  at  the  house  about  daylight  that 
morning,  and  had  spent  the  day  reading  letters,  writ- 
ing and  weeping  betimes.  While  she  was  the  subject 
of  conversation  on  our  part,  the  young  stranger  arose 
and  moved  to  another  window.  I  saw  her  countenance 
for  the  first  time,  and  was  struck  with  the  many  female 
graces  that  seemed  to  center  therein.  My  curiosity 
was  naturally  excited,  and  I  requested  Mrs.  Denton  to 
ascertain  the  nature  of  the  grief  that  weighed  down  so 
young  a  life." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

A   WOMAN'S   STORY — MARRYING   IN    HASTE   TO  REPENT   AT 
LEISURE. 

"  On  returning  to  my  hotel  in  the  evening,  my  first  act 
was  to  call  upon  my  confidante,  and  learn  the  result 
of  her  investigations.  She  had  been  entirely  successful, 
and  had  learned  the  story  of  Lillie's  life  and  disappoint- 
ments. Lillie  Singleton  was  the  daughter  of  a  clergy- 
man named  Combs,  exercising  spiritual  charge  over  a 
congregation  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  Her  edu- 
cation had  been  carefully  attended  to,  and  the  worthy 
pastor  devoted  his  income  to  the  preparation  of  his  son 
and  daughter  for  honorable  and  independent  positions 
in  life.  Lillie's  brother,  Willie,  was  at  Yale,  when  the 
war  broke  out,  and  had  as  a  companion,  Alfred  Single- 
ton, who  frequently  visited  at  the  parsonage.  He  was 
a  wild,  generous,  impulsive  youth,  and  ere  long  an  at- 
tachment sprung  up  between  him  and  Lillie,  which  was 
encouraged  by  her  brother.  Eventually  the  war  fever 
possessed  the  young  men,  and  abandoning  college  life, 
they  sought  and  secured  lieutenantcies  in  the  9th  Con- 
necticut regiment.  It  was  then  that  Singleton  sought 
the  consent  of  Mr.  Combs  to  his  marriage  with  Lillie, 
but  it  was  formally  refused.  Shortly  after  the  regiment 
left  for  Alexandria,  Virginia,  the  young  lieutenants 

proceeding  with  it    Through  the  assistance  of  William, 
16 


122 

Singleton  was  enabled  to  communicate  with  his  heart's 
choice,  and  this  resulted  in  her  sudden  appearance  on 
the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  where,  in  the  camp,  the  lov- 
ing possessors  of 

"  Two  souls  with  but  a  single  thought ; 
Two  hearts  that  beat  as  one," 

were  married  by  the  regimental  chaplain,  in  the 
presence  of  the  Officers  of  the  regiment.  Lillie's  hap- 
piness would  now  have  been  complete,  had  she  assur- 
ance of  her  parent's  forgiveness  for  her  disobedience, 
and  she  at  once  communicated  to  him  the  news  of  her 
marriage.  Days  passed,  and  finally  a  letter  post-marked 
'  New  Haven,'  reached  her.  Tearing  it  open  with  hur- 
ried anxiety,  she  read  merely  these  words : 

"  THE  PARSONAGE,  Saturday  Evening. 
"  Mrs.  A.  SINGLETON  : 

"  Your  letter  is  understood.  One  so  unmindful  of  a  parent's 
precepts  and  example  does  not  deserve  the  name  of  daughter. 
You  have  married  a  rake.  You  have  made  your  bed  ;  lie  in  it ; 
my  door  is  former  shut  upon  you. 

"HENRY  P.  COMBS. 

"  This  letter  chilled  the  blood  of  the  young  wife,  whose 
proud  spirit  felt  it  keenly.  Time  passed,  and  while  the 
regiment  was  in  garrison  the  lovers  enjoyed  their  brief 
honey-moon  to  its  fullest  extent.  But  the  parting  hour 
came.  The  9th  Connecticut  was  ordered  to  the  field. 
Singleton  went  forward  to  meets  his  country's  foes ; 
Lillie  to  Washington,  to  await  his  first  leave  of  absence. 
But  that  leave  was  a  final  one.  Two  or  three  months 
after  their  separation,  news  came  from  Willie  that  Lil- 
lie was  a  widow.  Alfred  Singleton  had  fallen  in  battle, 
and  was  buried  upon  the  field.  The  brother's  letter 


123 

was  one  of  affection  and  condolence,  and  a  week  after 
he  appeared  in  Washington  in  person,  and  a  joyous 
meeting  was  theirs. 

"Eenewed  efforts  were  made  to  effect  a  reconciliation 
between  the  pastor  and  his  child ;  but  all  her  letters 
were  returned  unopened  and  unanswered.  The  brief 
leave  of  absence  of  Lieutenant  Combs  expired,  and 
placing  in  Lillie's  hands  all  the  money  he  possessed,  he 
left  her  bathed  in  tears  and  bowed  down  with  grief 
Thrown  upon  her  own  resources,  alone  in  the  world, 
without  a  friend  near  to  counsel  or  direct,  the  young 
widow  sought  employment  in  one  of  the  departments, 
but  failed.  One  mean-steeped  Congressman,  from  her 
State,  to  whom  she  applied  for  influence,  consented  to 
aid  her,  provided  she  would  give  herself  into  his  keep- 
ing without  the  right  to  his  nama  The  insulting 
propositon  was  scorned ;  and  driven  almost  to  penury, 
she  finally  left  for  Buffalo,  where  for  a  few  months  she 
secured  employment  as  a  governess ;  but  the  family  re- 
moving to  the  West,  she  was  again  thrown  upon  the 
world  to  battle  with  its  rough  edges. 

"  At  this  time,  an  attractive  advertisement  appeared  in 
a  Buffalo  paper,  for  '  a  lady's  companion.'  Lillie  com- 
municated by  letter,  and  closed  with  the  applicant, 
Mrs.  Alice  Hunt,  of  Hamilton,  Canada.  Arriving  in 
that  city,  she  found  to  her  horror  that  Mrs.  Alice  Hunt 
was  the  mistress  of  a  disreputable  resort  on  James  street, 
who  had  inserted  the  notice  with  the  view  of  restocking 
her  gilded  menagerie  of  sin.  Days  spent  in  diligent 
search  for  employment  were  fruitless,  and  the  weary, 
disappointed  woman  left  for  Detroit,  where  she  arrived 
destitute  of  money  and  friendless.  Such  was  her  his- 
tory, as  was  recounted  to  my  lady  acquaintance.  In 
those  days  I  was  young,  sensitive,  and  much  more  be- 


124 

nevolent  than  I  am  now.  Placing  twenty  dollars  in 
the  hands  of  Mrs.  Denton,  I  requested  her  to  give  it  to 
the  young  woman  as  a  loan  from  her,  and  advise  her  to 
seek  a  cheaper  home  in  some  private  family.  My  com- 
mission was  faithfully  executed,  the  money  was  grate- 
fully accepted,  and  Lillie  Singleton  left  the  hotel, 
promising  to  refund  the  money.  That  was  the  last  in- 
telligence I  had  of  her  for  two  months,  when  a  letter 
reached  Mrs.  Denton,  bearing  the  city  post-mark,  inclos- 
ing the  money  loaned,  thanking  her  for  her  friendly  of- 
fices, and  announcing  that  she  had  obtained  a  good 
situation  at  last,  and  was  surrounded  by  all  necessary 
comforts." 

Here  the  Captain  paused,  and  rising,  produced  segars, 
which  were  lighted,  and  for  a  time  he  was  silent,  and 
seemed  recalling  past  recollections,  as  his  piercing  hazel 
eyes  watched  the  smoke  from  his  segar  curling  up  to 
the  frescoed  ceiling.  I  ventured  at  length  to  ask : 

"  And  did  you  never  ascertain  anything  of  her  sub- 
sequent movements  ?  " 

"  I  did,  and  would  that  I  had  not  The  subsequent 
particulars  are  ones  I  do  not  like  to  recall ;  but  I  will 
tell  you.  Methinks  I  now  see  that  young  face  raised 
to  heaven,  and  uttering  a  prayer  to  the  King  of  Kings, 
and  Lord  of  Lords,  as  I  did  on  one  chilly  night  in  the 
fading  October." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Is  A  VILLAIN'S   TOILS — FALLEN — DESERTED — A   PENITENT — 
SEEKING  REST  IN  THE  BLUE  WATEKS. 

"At  that  time,"  continued  the  Captain,  "in  addition 
to  my  duties  on  the  press,  I  was  engaged  in  recruiting 
a  company  for  my  regiment,  and  rarely  concluded  my 
daily  round  of  toil  until  eleven  or  twelve  o'clock  at 
night  One  very  bitter  cold  night,  I  left  the  Biddle 
House  at  eleven  o'clock,  for  my  lodgings.  Walking 
rapidly  down  Jefferson  Avenue,  at  the  corner  of  Bates, 
I  encountered  a  woman  walking  hurriedly  in  the 
direction  of  the  river.  There  was  something  in  her 
manner,  as  I  stopped  at  the  corner  to  permit  her  to  pass, 
and  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  face,  that  excited  my  sus- 
picions, and  I  thought  I  recognized  Lillie  Singleton. 
My  first  impulse  was  to  call  her  and  enter  into  conver- 
sation, but  second  thought  prevailed.  I  knew  well,  if 
she  were 

'  One  more  unfortunate 
Weary  of  breath — 
Rashly  importunate, 
Seeking  her  death," 

she  would,  in  all  probability,  seek  the  covered  dock 
at  the  foot  of  Bates  street  for  the  final  plunge  that  was 
to  give  her  rest  My  mind  was  quickly  made  up ; 
I  hurriedly  ran  down  the  opposite  side  of  the  street, 


126 

and  gained  an  entrance  to  the  dock  unobserved  by  her. 
Taking  up  a  position  behind  a  tier  of  flour-barrels,  that 
lined  the  edge  of  the  dock,  I  sank  down  in  the  shadow 
and  awaited  her  coming.  I  soon  heard  light  footsteps 
on  the  wooden  floor,  and  a  moment  later  I  saw  the 
shadow  of  a  female  thrown  upon  the  planking  near  me. 
Peering  out  cautiously,  as  she  raised  her  eyes  to  the 
solitary  gaslight  that  illuminated  the  dock,  I  saw  be- 
fore me  Lillie  Singleton.  Slowly  she  divested  herself 
of  her  shawl,  which  was  carefully  folded .  slipped  off 
the  elastic  that  secured,her  hat,  removed  it  and  laid  it  be- 
side the  shawl.  She  then  opened  her  bosom,  removed 
the  fastenings  that  secured  her  raven  locks,  and  allowed 
them  to  fall  negligently  over  her  pearl-colored  should- 
ers. These  preliminaries  completed,  the  seeker  after 
rest  walked  forward  to  a  spile,  not  three  feet  from  my 
retreat,  and  bent  the  knee  and  head  in  prayer.  Never 
shall  I  forget  the  emotions  that  took  possession  of  me, 
as  I  heard  in  whispered  accents  this  conclusion :  '  O, 
my  Heavenly  Father !  forgive  this  as  well  as  my  mani- 
fold sins,  and  receive  my  spirit  into  Thy  holy  keep- 
ing.'" 

Here,  the  veteran  of  two  score  battles  was  so  over- 
come by  his  narrative  that  the  tears  started  unbidden. 
He  relighted  his  segar,  and  for  a  few  minutes  was 
speechless.  Again  he  spoke : 

"Sir,  I  have  seen  women  and  men  under  all  circum- 
stances and  emotions,  but  never  beheld  such  an  expres- 
sion as  rested  upon  that  face  as  Lillie  turned  to  the 
light.  There  seemed  to  be  something  heavenly  in  it. 
Taking  from  her  pocket  a  letter,  her  porte-monnaie,  and 
a  picture,  she  opened  the  former,  kissed  it  passionately, 
placed  them  in  her  bosom  and  buttoned  her  dress  again. 
At  this  time  the  fading  gaslight  fell  full  upon  her  face, 


127 

and  a  smile  of  resignation  rested  there — a  smile  that 
spoke  of  confidence  in  the  saving  grace  of  Christ,  who 
died  for  Magdalenes  as  well  as  others  of  our  race. 
The  next  moment,  the  beautiful  young  widow  stood  up- 
on the  edge  of  the  dock,  gazing  down  into  the  blue 
waters  of  the  St  Glair,  that  flowed  noiselessly  seaward, 
with  gentle  ripples  that  seemed  invitations  for  her  to 
bear  them  company.  Again  lifting  her  eyes  and  hands 
to  heaven,  a  firm  soft  voice  breathed :  '  Alfred,  I  go  to 
thee!' 

"  I  stood  within  reach  of  her,  and  as  she  bent  her 
slender  frame  for  the  fatal  leap,  a  hand  fell  upon  her 
arm,  and  I  gently  turned  her  around  to  the  light. 

"  Young  woman,  why  this  rashness  ?  "  I  spoke  with 
an  assumed  sternness.  "  Are  there  no  longer  charms 
for  such  as  you  in  this  hateful  world,  Lillie  Singleton  ? 
This  must  not  be ! 

"  For  a  moment  she  looked  into  my  eyes,  a  visible 
tremor  ran  through  her  frame,  as  she  murmured :  '  Saved 
— not  yet,  Alfred !  a  little  while  and  I  will  be  with  you,' 
then  she  sank  down  in  a  swoon.  I  lifted  her  tenderly 
in  my  arms  and  bore  her  to  the  street,  where  a  watch- 
man joined  us.  Reviving,  she  seemed  not  to  compre- 
hend our  movements,  as  we  supported  her  to  the  Frank- 
lin House.  There  I  secured  a  room  for  her,  and  leav- 
ing her  in  care  of  the  excellent  matron,  hurried  for  a 
physician.  He  arrived  about  one  o'clock ;  but  the  poor 
sufferer  was  raving  in  a  consuming  fever.  Dr,  V.  re- 
mained with  her  throughout  the  long  weary  watches  of 
the  night,  and  I  stood  over  the  couch  watching  every 
symptom,  and  catching  every  incoherent  word  uttered  in 
her  insane  communions  with  those  absent.  Alfred  and 
Willie  were  names  frequently  breathed  from  her  fe- 
verish lips  as  she  rolled  and  tossed  restlessly  upon  the 


128 

pillows.  '  Charles  DeVere,  you  have  deceived  and  de- 
serted me ! '  was  the  first  complete  sentence  I  caught,  and 
it  startled  me,  for  this  was  the  name  of  one  of  the  Cap- 
tains of  my  regiment,  then  organizing,  who  but  the  day 
before  had  been  transferred  to  a  cavalry  command,  then 
operating  in  the  army  of  the  Cumberland.  Later  in 
the  night,  our  patient  fell  into  an  uneasy  slumber,  and 
the  female  attendant,  at  my  suggestion,  searched  for  the 
porte-monnaie  and  picture  I  had  seen  her  deposit.  In 
the  former  was  a  small  sum  of  money,  and  a  letter 
from  DeVere,  announcing  that  he  was  a  married  man, 
his  departure  for  the  army,  and  bidding  her  farewell, 
with  the  advice  to  return  home  to  her  parents.  The 
picture  was  that  of  an  officer,  who  I  subsequently  ascer- 
tained was  Lieutenant  Singleton.  In  her  porte-monnaie 
was  also  found  a  few  lines  to  her  father,  which  read  : 

"  FATHER — You  would  not  receive  me,  your  penitent  child  ; 
the  cold,  chilly  waters  of  the  river  are  more  generous.  Farewell. 

LILLIE. 

"  The  note  bore  the  address  of  the  New  Haven  min- 
ister. For  six  days,  Dr.  V.  and  his  partner,  Dr.  S., 
watched  over  her,  but  not  a  sign  of  returning  reason 
was  visible.  After  two  weeks'  battle  with  the  brain 
fever,  Lillie  recovered,  and  I  was  enabled  to  learn  her 
subsequent  vicissitudes.  It  appeared  that  after  leaving 
the  hotel  she  inserted  a  notice  in  one  of  the  papers  for 
a  situation  as  music  teacher.  A  notorious  procuress 
residing  in  the  city  replied,  requesting  her  to  call  for  an 
interview.  Once  in  the  house,  she  learned  its  true  char- 
acter, and  was  on  the  eve  of  fleeing  from  it,  when  the 
subtle  woman  pictured  to  her  a  life  of  ease  and 
pleasure,  and  by  her  cunning  eloquence  gained  her  con- 
sent to  remain  and  become  a  permanent  inmate.  Lil- 


129 

lie  had  not  been  an  inmate  an  hour  when  Captain  De 
Vere  called,  and  she  appealed  to  him  to  take  her  away. 
He  did  so,  and  conveyed  her  to  a  fashionable  boarding 
house  in  Jefferson  Avenue,  where  they  resided  as  man 
and  wife,  DeYere  promising  to  marry  her  before  the 
final  departure  of  his  regiment.  His  heartless  desertion 
of  her,  without  money,  led  her  to  attempt  to  cover  up 
her  sin  in  death.  You  know  all." 

"  But  what  became  of  her?  "  I  asked,  determined  to 
draw  from  him  any  further  information  he  possessed. 
For  a  brief  period  he  hesitated,  then  proceeded : 

"  On  her  convalescence,  Dr.  V.  wrote  a  feeling  letter 
to  the  minister,  detailing  her  deliverance  from  death, 
and  inclosed  her  note.  His  letter  was  unanswered,  but 
one  reached  Lillie  with  the  simple  words  :  '  Come  home ; 
I  forgive  you,  daughter. '  Two  days  latter,  we  supplied 
her  with  money,  and  placing  her  in  charge  of  a  gentle- 
man going  East,  sent  her  home." 

Here  the  Captain  arose,  opened  a  secretary,  and  tak- 
ing from  it  a  bundle  of  letters,  selected  one.  It  was 
penned  in  a  beautiful  female  hand,  and  read  as  follows. 
I  give  a  verbatim  copy  now  in  my  possession  : 

NEW  HAVEN,  Tuesday  Eve. 
CAPTAIN 

Aid-de-camp,  —  Brigade,  — Division,  14th  A.  C., 

Chattanooga,  Tennessee. 

DEAR  FRIEND — You  will  please  pardon  this  long  silence  on 
my  part.  It  is  not  that  I  have  forgotten  you  and  your  kindness, 
but  that  I  have  had  so  much  upon  my  mind  at  times  that  it 
sometimes  seems  I  should  go  crazy.  You  are  familiar  with  my 
sad  history,  dear  friend,  from  the  night  I  attempted  that  fearful 
tragedy  at  the  foot  of  Bates  street,  when  you,  as  an  angel  of  mercy, 
saved  me ;  and  know  something  of  my  poor  brother  Willie,  who 
was  in  the  9th  Connecticut.*  *  *  A  few  days  after  my  dear  repent- 
ant father  received  his  prodigal  child  again,  a  dispatch  came 
17 


ISO 

announcing  the  death  in  battle  of  darling  Willie.  He  died  no- 
bly with  his  face  to  the  foe,  in  the  hey-day  of  youth,  and  I  am 
left  alone  to  mourn  a  devoted  brother.  O,  sir,  sometimes  I  am 
tempted  to  join  him  in  the  great  hereafter.  But  a  still,  small 
voice  says  "  wait."  And  so  you  have  entered  upon  another  cam- 
paign in  the  field.  Dear  Captain,  how  is  it  that  all  the  good 
and  noble  must  sacrifice  life  and  home  for  the  tented  field. 
"  God  grant  that  He  may  spare  you,  and  give  you  that  happy 
coming  home  that  was  denied  my  poor  brother  Willie,"  will 
ever  be  the  prayer  of  your  friend,  whose  heart  is  bowed  down 
with  grief.  *  *  *  Let  us  so  live  that  our  little  bark  will  land 
safely  o'er.  Yes,  we  will  meet  them  there : 

"  For  none  return  from  those  quiet  shores, 

Who  cross  with  the  boatman  cold  and  pale  ; 
We  hear  the  dip  of  the  golden  oars, 

And  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  snowy  sail ; 
And  lo,  they  have.pass'd  from  our  yearning  heart, 

They  cross  the  stream  and  are  gone  for  aye  ; 
We  may  not  sunder  the  vail  apart 

That  hides  from  our  vision  the  gates  of  day — 
We  only  know  that  their  barks  no  more 

May  sail  with  us  o'er  life's  rough  sea  ; 
Yet  somewhere,  I  know,  on  the  unseen  shore, 

They  watch,  and  beckon,  and  wait  for  me  ; 
And  I  sit  and  think,  when  the  sunset's  gold 

Is  flushing  river,  and  hill,  and  shore, 
I  shall  one  day  stapd  by  the  water  cold, 

And  list  for  the  sound  of  the  boatman's  oar ; 
I  shall  watch  for  a  gleam  of  the  flapping  sail, 

I  shall  hear  the  boat  as  it  gains  the  strand  ; 
I  shall  pass  from  sight  with  the  boatman  pale, 

To  the  better  shore  of  the  spirit  land  ; 
I  shall  know  the  loved  ones  who  have  gone  before, 

And  joyfully  sweet  will  the  meeting  be, 
When  over  the  river — the  peaceful  river— 

The  angel  of  death  shall  carry  me." 

O,  my  dear  brother,  if  you  will  allow  me  to  call  you  by  that  en- 
dearing name,  do  you  know  that  death  looks  sweet  to  me,  now 
that  my  dearest  brother  Willie  has  tasted  it  before  me,  And  I  long 
to  go  to  him.  I  have  drained  the  cup  of  pleasure  to  the  dregs,  and 
I  long  to  go  and  join  in  the  happiness  of  angels,  for  I  know  there 


131 

is  happiness.  I  must  close,  as  we  are  hourly  expecting  the  body 
of  poor  Willie.  Write  me,  should  you  survive,  dear  brother,  and 
address, 

LILLIE  SINGLETON, 

Box  1845,  New  Haven. 

"  That,"  he  continued,  "  is  all  I  know  of  her.  For 
some  time  she  continued  to  correspond  with  the  doc- 
tor, and  from  her  letters  I  am  sure  she  has  made  full 
atonement  for  her  sins.  I  have  committed  sins  in  my 
life,  sir,  but  I  feel  that  the  Eecording  Angel  will  not 
fail  to  give  me  a  mark  on  the  book  of  life,  for  my  ef- 
forts to  rescue  that  poor  heart-broken  woman  from  a 
suicide's  death.  Were  more  mercy  shown  this  class  of 
unfortunates  by  their  fellow-creatures,  how  many  might 
be  won  away  from  their  evil  associates,  and  rise  again 
to  respectable  stations  in  society.  The  great  fault,  sir, 
is  that  when  a  woman  sins,  all  avenues  to  reformation 
are  closed  upon  her,  and  even  her  own  sex  will  shut 
their  doors  and  steel  their  hearts  against  her.  How 
few  women  follow  the  example  of  our  Saviour,  who 
said  to  Mary  Magdalene,  '  neither  do  I  accuse  thee !  go 
thou  and  sin  no  more.' ' 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

AN  ASSIGNATION  POST-OFFICE—ILLICIT  CORKESPONDENCE — THE 
SPY  SYSTEM — BLACK-MAILING  FAITHLESS  WIVES — THE 
AMOURS  OF  A  LEGAL  LIGHT  AND  A  MERCHANT'S  WIFE. 

Even  the  columns  of  the  press,  in  some  instances,  are 
not  sufficiently  safe  for  the  interchange  of  ideas  and  ex- 
pressions of  endearment  Daily  advertisements  are 
thrown  out  at  the  counters,  owing  to  some  exceptions 
in  their  phraseology,  and  the  class  of  light-minded  girls 
and  mature  women  who  delight  to  flirt  on  paper.  are  in 
consequence  deterred  from  giving  free  range  to  their 
feelings.  The  public  post-office,  also,  has  been  discov- 
ered unsafe  for  such  illicit  correspondence,  and  many 
are  compelled  to  forego  the  amusement  of  note-writ- 
ing. A  Kussian,  named  Leo  Balski,  conceived  the 
idea  of  founding  one.  Amity  street,  near  Broadway, 
was  selected  as  a  favorite  locality  for  such  an  institu- 
tion, and  there  he  opened  one ;  fitted  up  letter  boxes, 
supplied  his  place  with  a  stock  of  stationery,  and  by 
advertising  extensively  soon  leased  his  boxes  at  an 
enormous  profit.  The  number  of  letters  passing  through 
the  general  post-office  rapidly  diminished,  and  at  the 
foot  of  hundreds  of  personals  appeared  the  words,  "  ad- 
dress box — ,  Amity  street  post-office.''  The  purchase 
of  stationery  gave  ladies  and  girls  a  pretext  for  visiting 
the  place,  where  they  could  secure  their  letters  without 


133 

fear  of  suspicion  falling  upon  them.  Daily,  ladies 
stopped  in  carriages  in  front  of  the  stores  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, made  trifling  purchases,  remarked  to  their 
footman  or  coachman :  "  I  wish  to  go  around  the  corner 
and  purchase  some  stationery;  wait"  They  would 
soon  re-appear  with  a  small  parcel,  re-enter  their  car- 
riages, and  drawing  from  a  pocket  the  furtive  missive  of 
some  illicit  admirer,  devour  its  contents  on  the  way 
home,  taking  care  to  destroy  it  before  alighting.  To 
such  an  extent  was  this  notorious  place  patronized,  that 
additional  boxes  had  to  be  supplied  and  extra  clerical 
help  employed. 

There  were,  however,  further  abuses  ere  its  establish- 
ment had  become  fully  appreciated.  The  existence  of 
the  den  whetted  the  avarice  of  the  spies  who  collect 
evidence  for  wives  and  husbands  seeking  divorces,  and 
to  secure  material,  the  possession  of  which  enables  them 
to  levy  black-mail  upon  the  unfortunate  dupes  who  re- 
sort there.  Two  or  three  of  these  spies  secured  the 
entree  of  the  office  at  night,  and  while  it  was  apparently 
closed,  by  the  aid  of  steam  would  open,  read,  and  copy 
the  contents  of  the  letters  to  be  delivered  the  following 
day.  Then,  upon  the  opening  of  the  place,  they  would 
lay  in  wait  for  the  recipients  of  letters,  and  by  the  con- 
nivance of  clerks,  ascertain  who  received  a  certain  let- 
ter. Their  next  care  was  to  "  shadow  "  their  victims  to 
their  homes.  This  system  of  espionage  was  chiefly 
practiced  upon  ladies.  When  the  name  of  the  lady 
correspondent  was  secured,  they  next  turned  their  at- 
tention to  the  discovery  of  her  unknown  male  friend. 
In  this  they  were  usually  successful,  and  consequent^, 
husbands  of  ladies  moving  in  the  higher  circles  of  so- 
ciety, were  placed  in  possession  of  copies  of  correspond- 
ence that  convinced  them  of  the  unfaithfulness  of  their 


134 

wives.  For  this  they  paid  liberally,  and  the  proprietor 
reaped  a  share  of  the  spoils  thus  obtained.  In  some 
instances,  the  ladies  detected  in  clandestine  correspond- 
ence were  very  wealthy,  and  the  unprincipled  possessors 
of  their  secrets  have  systematically  black-mailed  them 
for  months,  the  wife  securing  the  money,  with  which  to 
purchase  secrecy,  from  her  confiding  husband.  A  gen- 
tleman, familiar  with  some  of  the  workings  of  the  office 
and  its  spies,  assured  the  author  that  one  lady  residing 
in  Thirty-fourth  street,  near  Seventh  avenue,  during 
the  year  1869,  paid  these  cormorants  eight  thousand 
dollars  as  the  price  of  their  secrecy.  Still,  they  were 
unsatisfied,  and  to  avoid  further  annoyance  she  took  a 
trip  to  Europe.  A  sergeant  of  police  .reports  that  one 
evening  a  well  known  lawyer,  was  tracked  to  a  "house 
of  entertainment "  in  West  Twenty-seventh  street,  in 
the  company  of  the  wife  of  an  ex-member  of  the  United 
States  Congress.  As  they  made  their  exit,  a  carriage 
drew  up  to  the  door ;  the  husband,  with  three  Four- 
teenth ward  roughs,  hired  for  the  purpose,  stepped  out, 
knocked  the  poacher  upon  private  territory  down,  and 
beat  him  fearfully.  The  police  came  upon  the  scene, 
but  no  arrests  were  made,  as  the  Congressman  who  is  a 
man  of  family  feared  the  exposure  of  a  prosecution,  and 
declined  to  make  a  complaint  against  his  assailants. 
The  police  were  well  paid  for  keeping  the  affair  secret ; 
the  guilty  wife  was  taken  home,  a  penitent,  and  the  hus- 
bands domestic  relations  are  still  pleasant;  but  Mrs. 
Grundy  has  never  learned  what  caused  the  breach  of 
friendship  between  the  L.  and  C.  families.  The  evi- 
dence of  the  wife's  guilt,  in  this  instance,  was  obtained 
at  considerable  expense  from  these  Amity  street  spies, 
who  lay  in  wait  for  victims. 

The  author  has  been  placed  in  possession  of  facts  in 


135 

several  interesting  incidents,  resulting  from  the  clandes- 
tine correspondence  conducted  through  this  notorious 
office,  which  are  reserved  for  subsequent  chapters. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE  BANK  CLERK  AND  BBOKER'S  WIFE — RACY  CORRESPONDENCE 
— VISITING  THE  POOR — GRACE  CHURCH  IN  THE  FOREGROUND 
— ASSIGNATION  HOUSES  IN  PROSPECTIVE. 

In  December  of  last  year,  a  man  was  arrested  and 
locked  up  in  an  up-town  station-house  on  the  charge  of 
drunkenness.  On  searching  him  at  the  desk,  two  sheets 
of  paper  were  found,  upon  which  was  copied  the  fol- 
lowing correspondence : 

TUESDAY  EVENING. 
DEAR  ELLEN: 

O,  how  I  long  to  renew  our  hours  of  pleasant  communion  ! 
"  Personals  "  are  no  longer  safe  mediums  for  communications  ; 
neither  is  a  messenger,  for  your  servants  may  prove  treacherous. 
Address  me  through  private  post-office,  No. —  Amity  street. 
Drop  letters  in  that  box,  and  appoint  a  time  and  place  for  con- 
ference. I  shall  be  in  town  all  the  week. 

Your  devoted 

HARRY. 


FRIDAY,  18TH. 
DARLING  HARRY  : 

I  found  yours  in  my  handkerchief,  after  you  lifted  it  so  gal- 
lantly at  Mrs.  T — d's  party ;  hid  it  until  I  reached  home. 
Charles  was  at  the  Manhattan  Club,  and  did  not  return  until 
two,  so  I  had  plenty  of  time  to  read  it,  and  then  burned  it.  That 
was  cruel,  you  will  say,  but  it  was  best ;  don't  you  think  so  ? 
Monday  afternoon,  I  go  out  to  visit  gome  poor  people  in  Avenue 


137 

J5.,  who  are  under  the  care  of  our  church  society.  I  shall  be  at 
the  corner  of  Fourteenth  street  and  Third  avenue  at  two 
o'clock,  dressed  very  plainly  in  black  alpacca,  and  vailed.  I 
shall  carry  in  my  left  hand  a  small  mouse-colored  reticule,  and 
wear  my  solitaire  on  the  third  finger  of  the  left  hand.  You  may 
make  the  calls  with  me,  darling,  if  you  have  the  courage.  I 
will  not  require  an  answer,  but  shall  expect  you  promptly. 
Charles  has  gone  to  Philadelphia — will  be  home  Monday  night. 
Till  T  see  you,  darling  Harry,  farewell. 

ELLEN. 


WEDNESDAY  EVENING. 
DEAR  ONE: 

I  had  not  an  opportunity  to  write  you,  owing  to  a  press  of 
business  in  making  up  our  semi-monthly  bank  statement.  What 
an  ingenious  little  minx  you  are,  Ellen !  Who  would  have 
guessed  that  we  were  others  than  inmates  of  No. —  Crosby  street 
— the  proprietress  alone  excepted.  When  do  you  go  to  Avenue 
B.  again  to  call  upon  poor  people,  eh  ?  I  met  Charley  last  even- 
ing at  Delmonico's,  with  General  S.  We  had  a  very  pleasant 
time.  He  must  have  reached  home  late.  Address  as  before. 

HARRY. 

P.  S. — I  have  discovered  some  deserving  poor  at  No. —  Eliza- 
beth street,  near  Broome.  We  will  call  next  time  and  see  them  ! 


FRIDAY. 
DARLING  HARRY: 

Charles  is  out  of  the  city  again ;  will  not  be  home  until  Mon- 
day. On  Sunday,  I  will  be  at  Grace  Church,  alone.  You  can 
safely  approach  and  show  me  to  the  carriage,  if  dear  old  Mr.  Brown, 
who  usually  performs  that  ceremony,  does  not  get  in  "before  you. 
He  is  a  good  old  soul,  rather  slow  and  fat,  and  you  can  head 
him  offi  I  will  hand  you  a  note  as  you  close  the  door. 

Ever  your  devoted  pet, 

ELLEN. 

Such  was  the  correspondence.     In  the  greasy  wallet 

were  memoranda  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  moving  in 
18 


138 

Fifth  avenue  circles.  When  the  effects  of  the  prisoner, 
who  proved  to  be  one  of  the  Amity  street  spies,  were 
given  to  him,  he  little  suspected  that  copies  of  this  cor- 
respondence had  been  taken,  and  through  the  kindness 
of  a  friend  they  are  produced  here.  The  same  friend, 
who  is  the  Sergeant  who  locked  up  the  prisoner,  in- 
formed the  author,  a  month  or  two  later,  that  he  had 
discovered  the  principals  in  the  nefarious  correspond- 
ence. Harry,  was  a  clerk  in  a  prominent  down-town 
bank;  and  Ellen,  the  young  wife  of  a  distinguished 
broker,  in  Wall  street,  and  a  communicant  at  Grace 
Church.  Whether  the  guilty  meetings  of  the  lovers 
were  ever  discovered,  he  never  ascertained;  but  he 
had  discovered  that  the  "poor  people"  in  Elizabeth 
street  were  the  occupants  of  the  house  where  Bau- 
mann,  the  Williamsburgh  school-teacher,  shot  his  guilty 
paramour,  Annie  McNamara,  and  then  killed  himself. 
It  is  more  than  probable  that  Ellen  and  Harry  still 
"visit  the  poor,"  under  the  auspices  of  our  church  so- 
ciety, during  the  absence  of  Charles  from  the  city,  but 
no  longer  employ  the  Amity  street  post-office  as  a  cover 
for  their  sins,  as  Balski  has  retired  from  business,  and 
married  the  wealthy  Middletown  widow  who  nursed 
him  so  tenderly  in  Bellevue  Hospital,  after  Biddle  had 
attempted  his  assassination  in  December  last,  and  the 
establishment  has  gone  into  other  hands. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE  AMOROUS  EPISTLES  OF  A  JUDGE — MBS.  CORNELIA  W. — 
THE  DOCTOR'S  WIFE — A  DIVORCE  COURT — AFTERNOON 
VISITS  TO  SUPPER  ROOMS. 

On  another  occasion,  the  same  spy  referred  to  in  the 
foregoing  chapter,  was  locked  up  in  the  same  station- 
house,  for  assault  and  battery.  He  had  met  a  very  re- 
putable gentleman  at  a  club-room,  where  he  had  tracked 
him ;  attempted  to  extort  money,  and  on  being  foiled, 
committed  an  assault  upon  him.  Knowing  his  pris- 
oner, the  Sergeant  again  examined  the  contents  of  his 
pockets.  In  an  old  envelope,  that  bore  the  imprint  of 
a  notorious  divorce  law  firm,  were  found  the  follow- 
ing copies  of  letters : 

IN  MY  GARRET,  Sunday  Evening. 
MY  DEAR  MADAME  : 

I  hope  you  have  seen  my  "  Personal,"  asking  you  to  call  at 
No. —  Amity  street,  for  a  letter  of  importance.  It  may  not  be 
important  to  you,  but  it  is  to  me,  that  I  should  proclaim  my  feel- 
ings candidly  and  secretly.  We  have  often  met  in  society,  and 
you  must  have  seen  my  eyes  often  settled  upon  you  with  a  long- 
ing gaze  of  admiration.  I  have  tried  to  conceal  my  sentiments  ; 
endeavored  to  drive  out  from  my  mind  thoughts  that  seem  to 
consume  me,  but  they  will  not  down  at  my  bidding.  I  have 
observed  that  my  presence  is  not  repulsive  to  you  ;  that  some  of 
your  most  winning  smiles  have  fallen  upon  me,  and  I  have  been 
led  to  hope  that  the  sentiments  of  love  that  I  entertain  for  you 


140 

are  not  cast  upon  barren  soil.  Dear  Madame,  give  me  hope,  for 
it  is  life  to  me.  Basking  in  the  rays  of  your  smiles,  I  can  endure 
anything,  dare  anything;  without  them,  I  shall  be  miserable. 
The  night  I  led  you  through  the  lancers  at  Madame  H — 's,  on 
the  Heights,  you  must  have  felt  the  pressure  of  a  hand  that 
spoke  of  a  warmth  of  heart  not  to  be  misunderstood  ;  but, 

"Like  Ixion, 

I  look  on  Juno,  feel  my  heart  turn  to  cinders, 
With  an  invisible  fire ;  and  yet  should  she 
Deign  to  appear,  clothed  in  a  various  cloud, 
The  majesty  of  the  substance  is  so  sacred, 
I  durst  not  clasp  the  shadow.    I  beheld  her 
With  adoration  ;  feast  my  eyes,  while  all 
My  other  senses  starve  ;  and,  oft  frequenting 
The  place  which  she  makes  happy  with  her  presence, 
I  never  yet  had  power,  with  tongue  or  pen, 
To  move  her  to  compassion,  or  make  known 
What  'tis  I  languish  for ;  yet,  I  must  gaze  still, 
Though  it  increase  my  flame." 

Messenger,  in  the  above,  has  pictured  with  fidelity  my  case, 
dear  Madame ;  and  now  I  entreat  your  sympathy.  O,  do  not 
turn  coldly  away  from  me,  and  discard  the  love  I  lay  at  thy 
feet.  The  world  may  say  it  is  wrong  to  countenance  a  passion 
of  this  kind,  but  I  care  not  for  the  world ;  it  is  selfish,  artificial, 
and  corrupt.  If  you  will  bid  me  hope,  please  address  merely  a 
line — a  sentence — to  Austin,  Amity  street  post-office.  Do  not 
frown  upon  this  frank  declaration  of 

Your  anxious  admirer, 

HORACE  E.  T . 


WEDNESDAY,  January  28,  1869. 
DEAR  FRIEND  HORACE  : 

Your  long  and  passionate  appeal  seems  to  have  been  penned 
m  sincerity,  and  I  would  be  unworthy  the  title  of  a  woman  if  I 
were  to  disregard  it.  I  read  it  with  conflicting  emotions.  The 
duty  I  owe  to  another  rose  up  like  a  threatening  ghost  before  me  ; 
but  then  in  the  background  I  beheld  Horace  smiling  mourn- 
fully and  beckoning  me  to  him.  Horace,  I  do  not  think  it  is 
wrong  to  love  all  our  fellow-creatures.  While  I  am  a  dutiful 


141 

wife,  my  husband  does  not  give  his  whole  heart  to  me.  His  love 
is  shared  by  others  than  I,  and  then,  where  is  the  sin  for  me  to 
take  another's  heart  into  my  bosom  and  bid  it  beat  for  me  ? 
I  frankly  confess  that  I  ha^e  long  admired  Horace,  and  I  bid 
him  welcome  to  my  affections.  If  a  share  of  my  love  will  make 
you  happy,  be  happy,  Horace.  You  can  call  at  my  box  in  the 
Academy  on  Saturday  evening.  Stella  and  I  go  with  brother 
Henry.  Drop  in  and  see  us.  You  may  write  me  through  the 
Amity  street  post-office,  and  I  will  call  in  person  for  it. 

Affectionately, 

CORNELIA. 


MY  ESTEEMED,  DEVOTED  CORNELIA  : 

O,  how  my  heart  throbbed  with  ecstasy  on  perusing  your  note. 
And  this  is  my  reward  for  weeks  of  anxiety,  misery — madness,  I 
might  say.  The  passion  of  Cornelia's  love  is  a  priceless  boon  ! 
may  I  never  deserve  its  withdrawal.  I  shall  be  at  the  Academy 
to-morrow  evening  for  a  few  moments,  merely  long  enough  to 
press  your  hand,  look  into  those  eyes  that  I  have  so  often  cov- 
eted a  look  from,  and  depart  early,  so  as  not  to  cause  suspicion. 
You  say  the  truth,  darling,  when  you  assert  that  your  husband's 
love  is  not  all  your  own.  I  know  that  long  evenings  you  sup- 
posed were  spent  at  the  lodge,  were  occupied  in  the  parlors  of 
Emily  C — 's,  in  Neilson  Place. 

Your  joyful 

Alone,  Friday  night.  HORACE. 


MONDAY  EVENING. 
DEAR  CORNELIA: 

On  Wednesday  afternoon  I  shall  be  at  Leed's  Galleries,  ex- 
amining some  rare  works  of  art.  May  I  not  hope  that  we  can 
meet  there  as  if  by  accident.  We  can  then  proceed  to  our  old 
retreat,  for  an  hour  or  so,  as  your  absence  will  not  be  missed. 
We  must  exercise  caution,  however,  as  I  am  satisfied  some  one 
watched  us  last  time,  as  we  turned  into  Twenty-sixth  street. 
Dress  as  much  in  disguise  as  possible,  and  we  can  accomplish 
our  visit  unobserved. 

Still  your  faithful 

HORACE. 


142 

A  week  after  these  letters  were  copied,  I  observed 
the  party  who  had  them  in  his  possession,  suddenly 
turn  into  Waverly  Place,  from  Broadway,  and  slowly 
follow  a  gentleman  and  lady  down  in  the  direction  of 
Washington  Park.  Curiosity  prompted  me  to  follow 
him  and  watch  his  movements.  The  lady  and  her  at- 
tendant, passed  through  the  park  to  the  corner  of  Mac- 
dougal  and  Fourth  streets,  down  Fourth  street  to  a  lit- 
tle wooden  cottage,  over  the  door  of  which  hung  a 
sign,  "Supper  Eooms."  Through  the  door  they  disap- 
peared. I  turned  my  eyes,  and  beheld  the  spy  stand- 
ing on  the  corner  above.  After  half  an  hour,  the  gen- 
tleman came  out  alone,  and  as  I  met  him  face  to  face 
at  the  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  Fourth  street,  I  rec- 
ognized in  his  features  that  of  a  prominent  judicial 
functionary.  The  divorce  detective  did  not  follow,  but 
remained  to  await  the  exit  of  the  female,  and  I  left  the 
scene  of  the  adventure. 

A  month  later,  while  examining  the  records  of  one 
of  the  courts,  I  found  an  application  of  Dr.  W.  for  a 
divorce  from  his  wife,  Cornelia  W.,  on  the  ground  of 
adultery ;  and  attached  to  the  papers  the  name  of  the 
detective  referred  to.  The  wife,  in  her  answer,  admit- 
ted the  allegations  ;  a  divorce  was  granted,  as  the  evi- 
dence of  her  guilty  intrigues  were  conclusive,  She 
now  resides  with  friends  in  Fifth  avenue,  near  Sixteenth 
street. 

Aristocratic  belles  may  blush,  virtuous  matrons  may 
doubt,  husbands  may  shudder,  nay,  mourn,  that  their 
wealth  has  caused  so  much  of  the  sorrow  and  shame 
that  is  laid  at  their  doors ;  but  the  prolific  source  of 
this  class  of  crime  comes  not  of  affluence  or  posi- 
tion alone,  but  may  be  traced  to  a  variety  of  causes. 


143 

First  in  order  is  the  extreme  anxiety  of  parents  to 
unite  their  daughters  to  wealthy  husbands,  whose  sole 
object  is  to  eclipse  Flora  McFlimsey,  from  her  bridal 
trousseau  down  to  her  finely  embroidered  garments  and 
costly  jewelry,  each  article  wearing  a  different  hue, 
the  cost  to  be  guessed  in  the  minds  of  her  spinster 
friends,  as  the  happy  pair  slowly  bend  their  steps  down 
the  aisle  of  the  holy  sanctuary,  on  the  first  Sabbath  of 
their  "appearing  out"  Then,  while  ministers  of  grace 
defend  them,  in  scholarly  harangues,  or  relate  some  in- 
teresting anecdote  about  the  beauties  of  nature,  or  the 
planting  of  hyacinths,  they  forget  to  inculcate  in  the 
hearts  of  their  worshipers  the  divine  teachings  of  the 
Saviour,  as  laid  down  in  the  simple  embellishments  of 
His  parables ;  forgetting  that  they  have  the  charge  of 
their  souls,  and  will  be  held  to  a  stricter  accountability 
than  those  blessed  with  less  intellectual  endowments. 
From  this  false  step  of  parental  folly  and  clerical  neg- 
lect, the  young  wife  is  taught  to  regard  herself  as  a 
mere  toy  of  pleasure  and  amusement.  She  knows 
nothing  of  domestic  cares,  and  fails  to  comprehend  the 
true  meaning  of  a  wife,  or  her  duties,  and  frequently 
lapsing  into  ennui,  her  young  heart  yearns  for  those 
domestic  endearments  of  a  true  wife  and  a  happy  home. 
The  finer  feelings  of  her  nature  point  out  the  void,  and 
she  would  willingly  embrace  them,  but  the  insidious 
charlatan  poisons  her  young  ear,  whispering  therein 
that  her  presence  will  be  eagerly  sought  for,  the  coming 
season,  at  Long  Branch  or  Saratoga,  and  society,  on  the 
tip- toe  of  expectation,  will  anxiously  look  for  her  at  those 
resorts  of  fashion  :  then,  to  make  assurance  doubly  sure, 
by  delicate  insinuations,  a  recourse  is  had  to  that  spe- 
cies of  barbarous  crime  which  is  paraded  in  the  medi- 
cal column  of  the  Herald  every  day,  and  from  which 


144 

humanity  shudders  and  stands  aghast  when  a  case  of 
murder  and  malpractice  is  detailed.  Yet,  the  law  per- 
mits the  criminals  to  go  unwhipped  of  justice,  through 
some  technical  informality  manufactured  to  meet  the 
peculiar  exigencies  of  the  case ;  gold,  in  such  cases,  be- 
ing  used  as  a  purchasing  agent  to  affect  immunity  of  the 
criminal,  and  tarnish  our  judicial  forum,  thereby  ren- 
dering our  law  courts  a  mockery. 

The  victim  finds  an  early  tomb,  the  voice  of  her 
nearest  and  dearest  relatives  are  hushed  and  silent,  and 
o'er  her  earthly  form  may  be  said : 

"  Weep  not  for  those  whom  the  vail  of  the  tomb 

In  life's  happy  morning  hath  hid  from  our  eyes, 
Ere  sin  threw  a  blight  o'er  the  spirit's  young  bloom, 

Or  earth  had  profaned  what  was  born  for  the  skies  ; 
Death  chilled  the  fair  fountain,  ere  sorrow  had  stain'd  it 

'Twas  frozen  in  all  the  pure  light  of  its  course, 
And  but  sleeps,  'till  the  sunshine  of  heaven  has  unchain'd  it, 

T.o  water  that  Eden,  where  first  was  it  source. 

Mourn  not  for  her,  the  young  bride  of  the  vale, 

Our  gayest  and  loveliest,  lost  to  us  now  ; 
Ere  life's  early  lustre  had  time  to  grow  pale, 

And  the  garland  of  love  was  yet  fresh  on  her  brow, 
Oh  !  then  was  her  moment,  dear  spirit,  for  flying 

From  this  gloomy  world,  while  its  gloom  was  unknown  : — 
And  the  wild  hymns  she  warbled  so  sweetly,  in  dying, 

Were  echo'd  in  heaven  by  lips  like  her  own ; 
Weep  not  for  her,  in  her  spring-time  she  flew 

To  that  land  were  the  wings  of  the  soul  are  unfurl'd, 
And  now,  like  a  star,  beyond  evening's  cold  dew, 

Looks  radiantly  down  on  the  tears  of  the  world." 

The  middle  or  lower  strata  of  society  are  compara- 
tively free  from  this  foul  and  inhuman  crime,  and  the 
reader  will  reasonably  infer  that  the  lax  state  of  mo- 
rality, which  is  paraded  from  day  to  day  in  our  halls  of 
justice,  owes  its  origin  to  the  pernicious  teachings  of 
pulpit  oratory  and  the  unclean  pages  of  the  press,  As 


145 

an  evidence  of  this  fact,  let  the  reader  examine  the  re- 
ligious columns  of  each  Monday's  Herald  newspaper ; 
there  is  truthfully  delineated  the  character  of  the  text, 
and  its  lessons  on  Christianity,  the  devoutness  and  bear- 
ing of  each  worshiping  sect,  the  zeal  and  eloquence 
of  the  several  divines,  and  the  influence  they  exert  over 
their  flocks.  On  the  other  side  of  the  same  journal 
may  be  read  : 

Will  the  lady  in  mourning,  with  the  glorious  black  eyes,  if 
agreeable,  favor  the  gentleman  with  the  blue  cravat,  who 
returned  on  the  same  train  from  Orange,  N.  J.,  yesterday,  with 
an  interview,  or  address, 

NED  DAVIS,  New  York  Post-office. 


You  cast  me  off — I  am  not  tired  of  you,  but  love  you  better 
than  all  the  world.     Always  shall. 

ECCE  SOL.  8. 


LUE  W. — Meet  me  to-day,  3,  P.M.,  corner  of  Thirtieth  street  and 
Fourth  avenue,  or  Monday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M.     Judge  K. 

ANNIE. 

These  truths  the  reader  may  take  exception  to,  and 
find  fault  with  their  exposure,  but  they  are  neverthe- 
less true,  and  'tis  better  they  should  be  kept  in  view,  that 
the  guilty  actors,  their  aiders  and  abettors,  may  be 
known,  and  shunned  by  society,  the  moral  atmosphere 
purified,  so  that  innocence  and  virtue  may  go  arm  in 
arm  without  fear  of  pursuit  or  molestation. 
19 


A  LAWYER'S  NARRATIVE — TEMPTATIONS  OF  HOTEL  LIFE — MAT- 
TIE  SHELDON — HON.  WILLIAM  Q.  FARCLOUGH  DEFEATED 
— A  NIGHT  IN  THE  BATH. 

One  pleasant  afternoon  in  January  last,  I  called  up- 
on a  legal  gentleman  on  professional  business,  who  I 
will  call  Clarence  McDonald.  At  the  conclusion  of 
our  conference,  I  accepted  an  invitation  to  lunch. 
Turning  up  Broadway,  we  sought  Delmonico's  rooms, 
corner  of  Chambers  street,  as  a  quiet  resort. 

"  Look  •  Do  you  see  those  two  ladies  approaching  ?  " 
said  McDonald,  as  we  were  stepping  in  at  the  door. 
"Note  particularly  the  one  on  the  inside,  plainly 
dressed." 

I  glanced  in  the  direction  indicated,  but  beyond  a 
young  woman  apparently  twenty  years  of  age,  with  a 
care-worn,  consumptive  appearance,  I  observed  noth- 
ing remarkable  about  her.  After  entering  the  restau- 
rant and  seeking  a  quiet  corner,  while  lunch  was  be- 
ing prepared,  McDonald  remarked  : 

"  That  young  girl  has  had  an  eventful  history." 

I  expressed  a  desire  to  hear  it,  and  McDonald  con- 
sented to  gra'dfy  me.  He  related  the  following  story, 
which  I  give  as  nearly  in  his  own  words  as  possible : 

"  Her  name  is  Mattie  Sheldon.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  a  deceased  Buffalo  merchant,  who  left  her  a  compe- 


147 

tency  in  the  hands  of  a  gentleman  of  this  city,  who 
holds  it  in  trust  for  her.  Mr.  Sheldon  died  in  1867, 
and  she  came  on  to  this  city  and  sought  a  home  in  one 
of  the  first-class  down-town  hotels  where  she  could  be 
near  her  guardian.  You  know  that  young  ladies  who 
make  their  homes  in  fashionable  hotels,  are  subjected 
to  many  temptations  and  annoyances,  especially  if  they 
be  not  accompanied  by  a  mother,  father,  or  brother.  So 
it  was  with  her.  Attached  to  the  hotel,  was  a  clerk 
named  Bantam — a  scheming,  unprincipled  fellow,  who 
prided  himself  upon  his  success  with  the  fair  sex,  and 
he  would  not  stop  at  anything  to  accomplish  his  evil 
designs.  Among  the  guests  who  frequently  sojourned 
at  the  house  for  weeks  at  a  time,  was  a  millionaire,  who 
has  had  important  public  trusts  in  the  gift  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Buffalo.  His  name  is  Hon.  William  G.  Par- 
clough.  He  has  been  for  years  extensively  engaged  in 
the  carrying  trade ;  his  name  is  to  be  found  on  the 
desks  of  nearly  every  merchant  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific,  and  possibly  appears  on  labels  attached  to 
your  baggage,  if  it  has  ever  passed  through  the  ex- 
press. Farclough  is  an  elderly  gentleman,  the  father 
of  a  family,  including  daughters,  who,  every  season 
that  they  are  not  in  Europe,  reign  queens  in  New 
York  fashionable  society ;  but  his  blood  is  warm  yet, 
and  he  has  not  forgotten  the  follies  of  youth,  although 
over  two  score  years.  Clerk  Bantam,  knowing  Hon. 
William  G.  Farclough's  little  failing,  determined  to  pro- 
fit thereby,  and  made  himself  especially  busy  in  intro- 
ducing him  to  the  female  guests ;  more  than  one  of 
whom,  it  is  whispered,  fell  into  the  webs  woven  for 
them,  and  had  cause  to  remember  the  venerable  ex- 
official  of  Buffalo.  Of  course,  Mr.  Bantam  was  well  paid 
for  effecting  the  introductions,  and  on  each  visit  of  his 


148 

patron  had  some  new  victim  to  present  for  his  admira- 
tion. 

"  Mattie  had  not  been  in  the  hotel  a  week  ere  she 
made  the  acquaintance  of  several  of  the  lady  boarders. 
One  day  she  sent  her  card  to  the  rooms  of  Mrs.  Hooker, 
but  received  the  reply  that  the  lady  was  out  She  in- 
structed the  servant  to  return  and  place  the  card  under 
Mrs.  R's  door.  An  hour  after,  time  hanging  heavily 
upon  her  hands,  she  proceeded  to  Mrs.  Hooker's 
rooms,  to  learn  whether  she  had  returned.  Moving 
down  the  hall,  she  was  astonished  to  behold  Mrs.  E. 
show  Hon.  William  G.  Farclough  out  Turning 
quickly,  she  retreated  to  her  own  apartments,  satisfied 
that  Mrs.  R  was  not  all  her  fancy  painted  her : 

"  '  Chaste  as  the  icicle 
That's  curdled  by  the  frost  of  purest  snow, 
And  hangs  on  Diau's  temple.' 

"  The  following  day,  a  gentle  knock  at  Mattie's  door 
aroused  her.  Opening  it,  clerk  Bantam,  in  bland  tones, 
informed  the  unsuspecting  girl  that  a  gentleman  ac- 
quaintance of  her  late  father  awaited  her  in  the  par- 
lor. Proceeding  there,  she  met  the  aged  ex-func- 
tionary, who  advanced  smilingly  to  bid  her  welcome. 
Trembling,  she  shrank  from  him  with  a  dread  of  im- 
pending evil ;  but  by  words  of  sympathy  with  her  in 
her  recent  bereavement,  he  dispelled  her  fears,  and  a 
short  interview  followed,  the  nature  of  which  I  never 
learned ;  but  it  is  certain  that  the  remorseless  sinner,  the 
seeker  after  victims,  left  the  parlor  foiled  and  crest-fallen, 
but  more  intently  bent  upon  Mattie's  conquest  than  ever. 
Confiding  his  mortification  to  his  confederate  in  in- 
iquity, Bantam,  a  plan  was  decided  to  woo  her  to  her 
destruction.  The  clock  in  the  main  hall  had  barelv 


149 

ceased  striking  midnight,  when  a  servant  presented  at 
the  door  of  room  27  a  note,  announcing  that  the  land- 
lord desired  the  attendance  of  Miss  Sheldon  in  parlor 
No.  3,  at  once,  on  important  and  urgent  business.  Hur- 
riedly arranging  her  toilet,  she  proceeded  to  the  parlor 
indicated,  when  Bantam  secured  her  and  closed  the  door. 
The  poor  terror-stricken  bird  would  have  retreated,  had 
not  a  heavy  hand  been  laid  upon  her  arm,  and  the 
word  '  stay  ! '  uttered.  Leading  her  half  fainting  to  a 
sofa,  he  continued :  '  Miss  Sheldon,  it  is  needless  for 
you  to  attempt  to  deceive  me  longer.  I  know  your 
real  character.  Mr.  Farclough  awaits  you  in  an  ele- 
gant suite  of  rooms,  No.  — ,  and  there  you  must  go,  or 
leave  the  house.  You  can  have  no  other  room  in  this 
hotel  to-night ! ' 

"  Bursting  into  tears,  Mattie  implored  his  mercy,  but 
the  brute,  flushed  with  wine,  was  inexorable.  Alone  in 
an  isolated  parlor  with  a  libertine,  she  feared  to  cry 
out  At  last,  woman's  ingenuity  came  to  her  rescue. 

"  '  Well,  sir,  if  it  must  be,  let  me  out  until  I  run  up 
and  lock  my  door.  I  will  return !  Await  me  here,  and 
escort  me  to  the  boudoir  provided ! '  She  said  inno- 
cently. 

"  She  was  permitted  to  leave,  intending,  when  once 
within  the  door  of  her  room,  to  lock  it  and  remain 
there.  Her  intentions  had  evidently  been  divined,  for 
on  reaching  the  door  she  found  it  locked.  Most  girls 
would  have  yielded  to  the  press  of  circumstances,  but 
Mattie  remembered  that  at  the  end  of  the  hall  was  a 
ladies'  bath-room.  Thither  she  hurried,  locked  herself 
in,  and  there  she  remained  through  the  long  watches  of 
the  night,  while  Hon.  William  Gr.  Farclough  paced 
his  room  in  his  rage,  swearing  vengeance  upon  the  de- 
voted girl,  who  for  the  second  time  had  thwarted  his 


150 

designs.  Early  in  the  morning,  the  girl  left  her  hiding 
place,  proceeded  to  the  parlor,  summoned  the  proprie- 
tor, recounted  the  circumstance,  paid  her  bill,  and  left 
a  hotel  where  she  was  subjected  to  such  vile  persecution. 
"The  conspirators  were  foiled ;  but  it  only  whetted 
their  energies  to  be  revenged.  The  tongue  of  scandal 
followed  her  from  hotel  to  hotel,  and  from  boarding-house 
to  boarding-house,  until  she  found  no  rest  Ascertain- 
ing that  Farclough  and  his  agent  had  busied  them- 
selves in  maligning  her  fair  fame,  she  sought  legal  ad- 
vice, and  resolved  to  institute  a  suit  against  the  former 
for  slander  and  conspiracy,  and  thus  vindicate  her  rep- 
utation before  a  jury.  This  course  resolved  upon,  she 
put  it  into  execution.  An  action  was  commenced  in 
the  courts,  but  her  lawyers,  to  the  discredit  of  our  profes- 
sion, I  am  sorry  to  say,  were  manipulated  by  Farclough, 
and  by  them  it  was  never  called  on.  After  several  in- 
effectual attempts  to  get  it  upon  the  calendar,  Mattie 
found  a  lawyer  who  could  not  be  influenced  by  Far- 
clough's  gold,  and  a  suit  was  commenced." 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A  PERSONAL — DEEP  LAID  PLOTS — MATTIE  CAGED — BLIND  JUS- 
TICE— THE  TOMBS  AND  THE  PENITENTIARY. 

"Farclough  and  his  miserable  tool,  seeing  that  an 
action  before  the  courts  would  lay  bare  their  consum- 
mate villainy,  consulted  together  to  prevent  it.  All 
attempts  to  compromise  by  Farclough's  counsel,  Mr. 
Chapel,  was  in  vain.  Among  the  officials  in  the  habit 
of  resorting  to  the  hotel  where  Bantam  was  employed, 
was  a  well-known  Justice,  who  wears  some  hair  in  the 
neighborhood  of  his  ears,  and  upon  his  upper  lip — a 
man  whose  name  is  familiar  to  every  habitue  of  the 
celebrated  Egyptian  edifice,  where  justice  sits  en- 
throned.  It  was  resolved  to  enlist  his  services,  and 
have  the  persevering  girl  restrained  of  her  liberty.  A 
day  or  two  after  all  their  plans  had  been  matured,  a 
personal  appeared  in  the  Herald,  requesting  her  to  be  in 

the  parlor  of hotel,  at  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  a 

friend,  who  had  heard  of  her  systematic  persecution, 
would  impart  valuable  information.  Not  suspecting 
treachery,  she  left  a  sick  room,  in  which  she  had  been 
detained  for  weeks,  and  sought  the  office  of  her  counsel, 
who  proved  to  be  out  of  the  city.  She  next  directed 
her  steps  to  the  office  of  her  guardian,  who  expressed 
his  belief  that  there  would  be  no  danger  in  keeping  the 
appointment  At  the  hour  named,  she  took  a  seat  in 


152 

the  parlor,  but  for  some  minutes  no  one  appeared.  Af- 
ter remaining  a  short  time,  the  Police  Court  Official 
before  alluded  to,  opened  the  door,  looked  in,  and  dis- 
appeared again.  Ten  minutes  after,  Miss  Sheldon  was 
astonished  to  behold  Mr.  Farclough  approach  her  with 
a  deceptive  smile.  He  sat  down  beside  her,  and  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  amicably  arrange  their  little  differ- 
ences. The  proud  spirit  of  the  girl  rebelled  at  the  ten- 
der of  a  monetary  salve  for  her  wounded  reputation, 
and  rising,  with  all  the  dignity  and  anger  she  could 
command,  she  ordered  the  aged  villain  from  her  pres- 
ence. Enraged  by  her  refusal  to  accept  a  settlement, 
Farclough  pushed  her  back  upon  a  sofa,  and  held  her 
in  an  iron  grasp.  At  this  juncture,  the  Justice  entered 
and  ordered  her  to  come  with  him.  She  declared  she 
had  committed  no  offense,  and  refused  to  leave  the  room, 
when  the  representative  of  the  law  retired  and  brought 
in  a  man  dressed  in  citizen's  clothes,  who  proclaimed 
himself  to  be  a  policeman.  The  girl  was  still  firm, 
until  a  shield  was  exhibited,  when  she  permitted  her- 
self to  be  forced  into  a  close  carriage  at  one  of  the 
side  doors,  into  which  she  was  followed  by  the  officer 
and  the  Justice,  and  escorted  to  the  Tombs.  There, 
with  her  custodian,  she  was  incarcerated  in  a  room  un- 
til five  o'clock  at  night,  when  the  poor,  trembling  girl 
was  conducted  to  another  private  room,  and  arraigned 
before  the  Justice  who  had  participated  in  the  kidnap- 
ping. The  wiley  Farclough  was  there,  and  made  a 
formal  complaint,  the  nature  of  which,  in  her  extremely 
nervous  state  of  mind,  she  did  not  comprehend.  That 
evening,  in  the  custody  of  a  virago,  who  bears  the  name 
of  woman,  she  was  placed  in  a  cold,  damp  cell,  where 
a  sleepless  night  was  passed.  But  day  came  at  last, 
and  with  it  more  trials  to  bow  down  the  heart  of  the 


153 

beautiful  sufferer.  Her  female  keeper  unlocked  the  door, 
and  escorted  her  into  the  presence  of  two  Justices  in  the 
Special  Sessions,  the  doors  of  which  excluded  the  pub- 
lic. Farclough  again  testified  to  a  charge  of  disorderly 
conduct,  and  in  spite  of  her  appeals  for  time  to  employ 
counsel,  the  criminal  Justice  sentenced  her  to  the 
penitentiary  for  four  months.  Mattie  Sheldon  was 
again  escorted  to  the  cells,  when  her  '  foster-mother ' 
ran  her  hand  into  her  pocket,  relieved  her  of  her  porte- 
monnaie,  containing  two  hundred  and  seven  dollars,  and 
carried  it  to  the  Justices.  A  few  minutes  after,  it  was 
returned  with  but  seven  dollars  in  it ;  and  half  an  hour 
later,  Miss  Sheldon  was  in  the  Black  Maria  en  route  to  the 
Island,  the  companion  of  thieves,  loafers,  and  vagrants. 
There  she  was  detained  for  four  months — most  of  time 
in  hospital,  and  denied  all  means  of  communicating 
with  her  friends,  lest  they  might  secure  her  release  on 
a  writ  of  habeas  corpus.1' 

"  "What  an  outrage  on  justice  !  "  I  remarked,  as  Mc- 
Donald ceased  speaking.  "  Can  it  be  possible  what 
you  tell  me  is  true  of  your  own  knowledge  ?  Is  there 
a  Justice  in  this  city  who  would  loan  himself  to  such 
a  vile  conspiracy  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  doubt  it  is  as  I  give  it  to  you  ! "  he  con- 
tinued. "  I  saw,  a  few  months  ago,  in  the  office  of  her 
then  counsel,  a  statement  of  the  facts  as  detailed  to 
you,  and  certified  copies  of  the  complaint,  and  her  com- 
mitment, dated  March  7,  1868." 

"  And  what  has  she  done  since  her  release,  to  attain 
redress  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Nothing,  I  understand.  She  is  so  beset  with  ene- 
mies on  every  hand  that  she  fears  to  trust  any  one  ;  even 
her  guardian  is  suspected  of  being  interested  in  her 
defeat,  that  he  may  have  the  use  of  her  patrimony. 
20 


154 

Meanwhile,  old  Farclough  has  not  been  idle.  A  few 
months  ago,  fearing  an  exposure  of  his  nefarious  plots 
and  liasons,  he  caused  an  article  to  be  published  in  an 
obscure  daily,  describing  her  as  a  black-mailer  and  a 
woman  of  bad  character,  but  took  good  care  to  have  a 
copy  fall  into  her  hands,  believing  it  would  intimidate 
her.  Whether  or  not  it  has  had  that  effect,  I  know  not, 
but  her's  has  been  a  sad  story  during  the  past  two  years. 
You  will  here  see  the  evils  to  which  young  persons 
are  subjected  by  promiscuous  acquaintance  in  public 
hotels.  The  finding  by  Farclough  of  her  card,  in  the 
room  of  his  mistress  for  an  hour,  gave  him  the  impres- 
sion that  the  innocent  Mattie  would  be  an  easy  victim ; 
and  to  that  tell-tale  piece  of  card-board  she  may  ascribe 
all  her  subsequent  tribulations." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE  PERNICIOUS  EDUCATION  OF  SCHOOL  GIRLS — THE  SOCIAL 
EVIL  IN  PANTALETS— A  STARTLING  STATE  OP  THINGS. 

There  is  no  class  of  females  more  susceptible  of  in- 
fluences for  good  or  evil  than  the  school-girl  just 
blooming  into  womanhood — no  period  when  she  should 
be  more  closely  watched  with  tender  solicitude,  than 
when  throwing  off  the  mantle  of  the  child  and  assum- 
ing that  of  the  fully  developed  maiden.  Nearly  all 
our  institutions  for  the  education  of  young  females  are 
provided  with  teachers — maiden  ladies  of  mature  age 
— whose  lives  have  been  a  series  of  disappointments  and 
blasted  expectations.  Their  experience  has  soured 
their  natures  and  crushed  out  every  vestage  of  the  finer 
feelings  of  woman.  They  have  no  sympathy  in  common 
with  that  of  the  young  whose  education  is  entrusted  to 
their  keeping.  The  young  maiden  is  taught  to  look 
upon  man  as  a  monster,  a  wild  beast,  who  should  be  a 
mark  for  every  female  to  trifle  with  and  deceive — a 
creature  who  has  no  heart,  no  sympathy  in  union  with 
that  of  the  opposite  sex.  The  result  is  that  the  young 
and  inexperienced  school-girl  considers  flirting  a  legiti- 
mate occupation,  and  under  the  pernicious  teachings  of 
spinsters,  they  issue  from  the  school-room  impressed 
with  the  necessity  of  a  conquest  over  the  first  good-look- 
ing biped  that  offers  himself  as  a  target  for  their  glances 


156 

and  smiles.  To  make  such  conquests,  they  will  respond 
to  advertisements,  and  conduct  correspondence  that 
they  would  fear  to  show  to  a  doting  mother.  The  conse- 
quence is  that  the  untutored  girl,  who  to-day  is  strong 
in  her  own  ability  to  thwart  a  "  lord  of  creation,"  finds 
herself  to-morrow  the  crushed  victim  of  his  wiles. 

The  author  has  before  him  an  article  published  in  the 
New  York  Democrat,  in  Febuary,  under  the  head  of 
"The  Social  Evil  in  Pantalets,"  in  which  the  writer  dis- 
courses upon  the  demoralization  in  the  city  schools.  It 
should  be  read  by  every  mother,  and  therefore  it  is  in- 
troduced : 

"  Any  one  may  satisfy  himself  by  watching  our  pub- 
lic schools  at  the  hour  for  dismissal,  of  the  existence  of 
a  'social  evil,'  perhaps  destined  to  become  the  parent 
of  that  other  usually  so  termed,  for  future  generations. 

"  He  will  see  other  watchers  standing  at  the  corners 
of  the  streets,  waiting  to  intercept  willing  maidens,  and 
to  pour  into  their  ears — God  knows  what  pleasant  poi- 
son and  delusive  guile. 

"If  he  be  familiar  with  the  under-life  of  this  great 
city,  he  will  see  panderers  for  notorious  houses  lying 
in  wait  for  their  prey. 

"  In  the  morning,  before  school-hours,  these  girls — 
from  fourteen  to  fifteen  years  of  age  and  older — may  be 
seen  dropping  tiny  notes  into  the  corner  mail-boxes  ; 
and  late  in  the  afternoon,  a  visit  to  the  private  post- 
offices  scattered  through  the  city,  will  discover  them 
receiving  replies,  eagerly  grasped,  and  carefully  se- 
creted, probably  making  clandestine  appointments. 

"  But  this  is  not  all ! 

"  Within  a  few  doors  of  one  of  our  most  highly- 
esteemed  girls'  schools,  is  a  notorious  house  of  assigna- 


157 

tion,  which,  we  are  credibly  informed,  is  supplied  al- 
most entirely  from  the  neighboring  school. 

"  These  are  schools — schools  of  instruction  for  the 
mind,  and  schools  of  destruction  for  body  and  soul. 
And  unhappily,  it  is  difficult  to  say  how  parents  are  to 
avoid  the  possible  horrors  of  the  latter. 

"  The  home-life  of  our  girls  is  unfortunately  not  of  a 
character  to  teach  them  what  to  flee  from  and  what  to 
embrace.  A  morbid  objection  to  instruct  in  the  exist- 
ence of  wickedness,  leaves  them  a  prey  to  what  they 
know  not  of,  and  have  no  weapons  wherewith  to  combat 

"  Principles  are  not  instilled  into  them,  but  they  are 
left  to  seize  whatever  may  come  in  their  way — flowers 
to  beautify,  or  weeds  to  choke  up,  and  disfigure,  and 
blight — and  so  what  wonder  that  the  poor,  unprotected 
creatures  become  the  victims  of  their  own  unrestrained 
desires,  and  of  the  devilish  arts  of  the  first  villain  who 
cares  to  make  the  attempt  ? 

"  They  become  demoralized :  and  so  far  are  they 
from  being  the  modest,  innocent  dears  they  are  supposed 
to  be,  that  no  passable-looking  scamp  can  stand  still  on 
the  corner  of  a  street  near  such  a  school,  at  the  proper 
hour,  without  finding  himself  the  object  of  signs  and 
salutations  not  to  be  mistaken. 

"  Mothers — engaged  in  your  domestic  vocations,  your 
shopping  and  your  finery,  your  scandal  and  your  own 
flirtations — bethink  you  of  these  truths  before  it  be  too 
late! 

"  Fathers — immersed  in  your  business,  your  dissipa- 
tion, your  strife  after  money,  your  eager  struggle  for 
political  position — consider  for  a  moment  what  may 
happen  to  crush  your  household  gods,  and  lay  bare  the 
baseless  fabric  of  your  domestic  happiness ! 

"  Of  course,  it  were  absurd  to  charge  that  all  girls  who 


158 

attend  schools  in  which  the  sexes  are  mixed  are  ut- 
terly demoralized,  because  there  are  many  true  and  pure 
girls  thrown  into  the  worst  associations ;  but  there  is  a 
bad  influence  over  all,  which  is  demoralizing  in  the  ex- 
treme. The  cause  mostly  lies  in  well-dressed  villains, 
who  devote  their  time  to  debauching  susceptible  young 
girls,  and  captivating  them  with  nice  talk. 

"These  are  facts.  Watch  for  yourself!  Ask  the 
policemen !  Ask  the  shopkeepers  in  the  neighborhood 
of  your  '  girls'  schools  ! '  And  above  all — for  '  an  ounce 
of  prevention  is  worth  a  pound  of  cure ' — steal  some 
time — both  fathers  and  mothers — from  your  daily  vo- 
cations, to  employ  in  instilling  right  principles  into  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  these  young  girls  whose  lives  are 
instrusted  to  your  charge,  and  for  whom  you  are  re- 
sponsible." 

There  are  many  grains  of  startling  truths  in  the 
foregoing  remarks :  many  a  parent,  who  has  seen  his 
fairest  flowers  plucked  from  the  household  garden  by 
a  villain,  will  admit  that  parents  neglect  to  surround 
their  children  with  necessary  safeguards,  and  instill  into 
their  expanding  minds  principles  that  will  enable  them 
to  overcome  the  promptings  of  natural  desires  and  the 
magnetic  influences  of  roues  schooled  in  all  the  arts  of 
deception  and  captivation. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

FANNIE  MARVIN,  THE  SCHOOL-GIRL — A  FIFTH  AVENUE  EDU- 
CATIONAL INSTITUTION — EXCHANGE  OF  SMILES — A  GAM- 
BLER'S CONQUEST. 

On  Fifth  avenue,  away  up  in  the  center  of  wealth 
and  refinement,  is  located  an  institution  for  the  training 
of  young  girls — daughters  of  the  wealthy.  The  society 
was  founded  years  ago,  and  then  was  located  in  the 
Seventh  ward.  It  rapidly  rose  in  estimation  until  a 
new  building  was  necessary  to  supply  the  demand  for 
its  advantages.  A  palatial  structure  arose  on  Fifth 
avenue,  and  lines  of  stages  secured  to  escort  the  pupils 
to  and  from  its  massive  portals.  Here,  the  young 
daughters  of  aristocratic  parents,  who  desire  the  educa- 
tion of  their  children  completed  under  their  own  eyes, 
daily  go  through  the  routine  of  pupils.  At  the  hour 
of  dismissing  the  classes,  any  day,  may  be  seen  hanging 
about  the  street  corners  in  the  neighborhood,  notorious 
libertines  and  blacklegs,  watching  for  their  prey.  There 
are  covert  recognitions,  passing  of  knowing  winks  and 
signs,  and  the  exchange  of  billetdoux  making  clandes- 
tine meetings.  Young  girls  come  home  to  their  par- 
ents an  hour  or  two  late,  with  flushed  faces,  and  fatigue 
marked  upon  them  indelibly,  The  mother  inquires  as 


160 

to  the  cause  of  the  delay,  and  is  informed  that  the 
child  had  been  kept  in  for  missing  a  lesson,  or  she  had 
gone  home  with  a  young  schoolmate.  Little  does  she 
suspect  the  truth.  Had  she  been  near  when  Anna  is- 
sued from  the  institute,  she  might  have  seen  a  fashion- 
ably dressed  dandy  join  her  child  within  a  block  of  the 
school;  she  might  have  seen  rambles  down  lonely 
streets,  and  heard  the  wily  villain  pouring  into  the 
willing  ears  of  the  maiden  the  poison  that  corrupts  and 
blasts.  Were  she  to  follow  them  day  after  day,  she 
could  trace  them  to  private  entrances  of  questionable 
houses,  and  see  them  enter  doors  from  which  her  child 
would  emerge  ruined  for  all  time. 

O,  loving  mothers,  in  your  hours  of  ease,  stop  here 
and  reflect  upon  the  responsibility  that  is  yours  !  Re- 
member that  you  have  a  sacred  duty  to  perform  to 
those  dear  buds  of  promise  given  you  by  the  Creator, 
to  nurse  and  warm  into  blooming  flowers,  that  shall 
beautify  your  sanctuary  of  love. 

The  author  has  before  him  notes  of  a  case  in  point, 
which  is  pertinent  in  this  connection.  They  were  ob- 
tained fron  a  ward  detective  some  months  ago.  In  a 
brown  stone  mansion  in  Madison  avenue,  near  Park 
avenue,  resides  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marvin.  The  gentleman 
is  a  well-known  and  esteemed  business  man,  who  is  no- 
ted for  his  probity  of  character  and  devotion  to  his 
family.  Two  years  ago,  his  only  daughter  Fannie  en- 
tered the  school  in  Fifth  avenue,  and  at  the  age  of  fif- 
teen was  one  of  the  most  promising  pupils,  always 
standing  high  in  her  classes,  and  carrying  off  honors  at 
each  examination. 

One  day  in  March,  1869,  she  met  Frank  Barton,  a 
fashionably  dressed  exquisite,  who  smiled  as  he  passed 
her,  and  casting  a  glance  behind,  was  rewarded  by  a  look 


161 

of  recognition,  Frank  suddenly  retraced  his  steps,  and 
following  leisurely,  watched  her  enter  her  home.  The 
next  day  he  was  in  the  neighborhood  at  the  same  hour, 
arid  again  nods  of  recognition  passed  between  the  girl 
and  her  admirer.  Days  passed,  and  they  still  met  One 
afternoon,  as  he  approached  her,  a  delicately  perfumed 
note  fluttered  in  the  breeze  and  fell  upon  the  sidewalk. 
As  Fannie  reached  it,  she  dropped  her  handkerchief 
and  lifted  it  and  the  note  together.  Hurrying  to  the 
privacy  of  her  room,  she  tore  it  open  and  read  words  of 
burning  passion.  That  was  a  moment  of  conflicting 
emotions.  The  writer  declared  his  admiration  of  her, 
and  solicited  an  answer  on  the  following  day,  by  the 
same  mode  of  communication.  The  day  that  was  to 
decide  whether  she  reciprocated  Frank's  admiration  ar- 
rived, and  as  she  issued  from  the  school,  the  distingue 
form  of  her  admirer  appeared  in  the  distance.  They 
met ;  a  note  fell  from  Fannie's  school-books ;  she  blushed 
crimson  as  their  eyes  met ;  Frank  secured  the  tiny  prize 
from  the  sidewalk,  and  hurried  away  to  peruse  it  and 
plan  for  the  future  conquest  of  the  child.  The  succeeding 
day  they  met ;  there  were  blushes,  exchanges  of  words, 
and  half  an  hour  after  the  lovers  were  strolling  down 
East  Thirty-fourth  street,  in  the  direction  of  the  ferry. 
The  gate  was  entered,  and  for  an  hour  in  the  public  room 
of  the  ferry-house  the  pair  conversed.  One  afternoon,  my 
detective  friend,  who  had  witnessed  some  of  their  meet- 
ings, saw  them  enter  a  well-known  resort  in  Forsyth 
street,  and  waiting  in  the  neighborhood,  observed  the 
ruined  girl  come  out,  flushed  with  excitement  and  sup- 
ported by  her  victor.  Well  he  divined  the  scene  that 
had  been  enacted  within.  The  beautiful  Fannie  Mar- 
vin was  no  longer  the  chaste  girl  of  an  hour  before, 

but   tarnished  beyond  recall,       Knowing   Barton   to 
21 


162 

be  a  notorious  gambler,  he  was  curious  to  discover  who 
the  girl  was,  and  for  this  purpose  followed  her  to  her 
home,  and  saw  her  pass  within  its  portals. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

MR.  MARVIS  IN  SEARCH  OP  INFORMATION — AN  ELOPEMENT— 
A  FATHER'S  GRIEF — DESERTED  IN  NEW  ORLEANS — OVER 

THE  RlVER   WITH  THE  BOATMAN  PALE. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  events  recorded  in  the  preced- 
ing chapter,  my  detective  friend  was  called  upon  by 
Mr.  Marvin,  who  desired  his  professional  services.  He 
reported  that  his  daughter  Fannie  had  been  missed  from 
home;  that  she  proceeded  to  school  as  usual  on  the  day 
of  her  disappearance ;  had  failed  to  return,  and  he  feared 
she  was  secreted  in  a  den  of  infamy. 

"  Find  my  child !  "  he  exclaimed,  in  his  grief,  "  and 
I  will  reward  you  liberally." 

Detective  C.  at  once  decided  to  unravel  the  mystery, 
if  possible.  He  recounted  to  Mr.  M.  the  circumstances 
of  her  meetings  with  Frank  Barton,  but  carefully 
guarded  the  secret  of  the  visit  to  the  house  in  Forsyth 
street.  The  sorrowing  father  left,  receiving  the  assur- 
ance of  Mr.  C.  that  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  re- 
store the  girl  to  her  home.  Knowing  that  Barton  re- 
sorted about  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Houston 
street,  day  after  day  watched  for  him  in  vain,  and  af- 
ter two  weeks  search  he  abandoned  the  effort,  and  an- 
nounced that  they  had  fled  the  city.  He  communicated 
his  disappointment  to  Mr.  Marvin,  who  had  given  out 


164 

in  society  that  his  daughter  had  gone  to  Italy  to  finish 
her  musical  education,  to  be  absent  four  years. 

One  evening  in  July  following,  Detective  C.  was  sum- 
moned to  Mr.  Marvin's  residence,  and  hurrying  there, 
was  shown  into  that  gentleman's  study.  After  taking 
a  seat,  the  following  note  was  placed  in  his  hand,  with 
the  simple  remark,  "  read  it :  " 

NEW  OKLEANS,  July  2,  1869. 
DEAR  MAMMA  : 

I  have  been  away  so  long  that  you  doubtless  fear  I  am  dead, 
and  to  relieve  your  mind  I  write  you.  O,  mother  !  forgive  me 
for  my  waywardness,  and  forget  that  you  ever  had  a  daughter 
Fannie.  God  knows  that  I  loved  you  and  father,  until  I  met 
Frank  Barton.  I  was  infatuated — magnetized  by  him.  I  loved 
him  ;  stole  interviews ;  and  when  I  could  no  longer  keep  my  se- 
cret— that  I  was  to  become  a  mother—  in  a  moment  of  frenzy  I 
threatened  to  kill  myself.  I  was  dissuaded  by  Frank,  who 
brought  me  here,  and  promised  to  atone  for  his  sin  by  making 
me  Ms  wife.  For  weeks  after  our  arrival,  we  lived  happily  in  a 
private  boarding-house  in  Camp  street;  Frank  deferring  the 
marriage  by  promises  that  he  never  intended  to  keep.  Finally, 
he  deserted  me,  but  without  $500  in  money,  which  he  left  me. 
He  has  been  away  for  a  week,  and  I  am  alone  again.  Perhaps 
it  is  best,  for  now  I  can  reform,  and  obtain  some  respectable 
employment.  Dear  mamma,  try  and  forgive  me,  and  do  not 
chide  your  child  too  severely.  I  was  young  and  inexperienced 
in  the  world's  temptations,  and  became  his  victim.  I  will  not 
ask  for  a  home  in  your  heart  again,  but  merely  forgiveness.  Dear 
mother,  all  I  ask  is  that  you  write  me  the  simple  words :  l>  I  for- 
give you ! "  and  never  again  will  I  trouble  parents  I  have  dis- 
graced. Adieu. 

Address  No.  21  Baronne  street,  Mrs.  F.  Barton. 

Your  penitent  daughter, 

FANNIE. 

P.  S.— O,  mother,  tell  father  I  desire  his  forgiveness,  too. 
Then,  you  may  disown  me  forever— forever. 


165 

Detective  C.  cast  an  inquiring  glance  at  the  father, 
who  handed  him  an  envelope,  remarking : 

"Take  that,  it  contains  one  thousand  dollars;  get 
permission  to  be  absent ;  proceed  to  New  Orleans ; 
make  diligent  search  for  her ;  learn  her  mode  of  life, 
and  telegraph  me  the  result  I  will  give  you  direc- 
tions by  telegraph." 

Here  the  interview  terminated. 

"  The  next  day,"  said  the  detective,  when  narrating 
the  particulars  to  the  author,  "  I  took  rail  for  the 
Crescent  city.  Fonr  days  after,  I  put  up  at  the  St 
Charles  Hotel ;  and,  after  a  few  hours'  repose,  sallied  out 
in  quest  of  information.  My  first  visit  was  to  No.  21 
Baronne  street,  where  the  letter,  you  will  see,  stated  she 
resided.  There  I  found  her  not ;  the  old  colored  wo- 
man who  kept  the  house  and  let  the  rooms,  said  that  a 
girl  resembling  the  picture  I  showed  her,  had  been  in 
the  house  two  weeks,  but  had  left — she  knew  not  for 
what  destination,  but  she  had  heard  that  she  was  living 
somewhere  in  the  French  portion  of  the  city.  Calling 
to  my  aid  detective  P.  of  that  city,  the  search  was  con- 
tinued with  no  better  success.  We  found  the  house  in 
Camp  street  where  she  had  resided,  but  obtained  no  clue 
likely  to  aid  us.  I  began  to  feel  disheartened,  and 
hesitated,  what  to  do  next.  One  morning  P.  rapped  at- 
my  door  and  awakened  me. 

.     " '  Get  up,  C. ! '  he  said,  mechanically.     '  I  have  found 
her.' 

" '  The  d — 1  you  have ! '  I  exclaimed,  in  my  excite- 
ment '  Where  ? ' 

"  '  In  the  dead-house,  a  suicide  ! '  was  his  business- 
like rejoinder.  '  You  won't  have  a  beautiful  girl  to  es- 
cort back  to  New  York,  old  fellow,  mind  that' 

"  I  was  out  of  the  sheets  in  an  instant,  and  hurriedly 


166 

made  my  toilet.  We  proceeded  to  the  dead-house,  and 
reviewing  the  body,  I  at  once  recognized  it  as  that  of 
Fannie  Marvin.  From  a  policeman  that  stood  by  I 
learned  that  about  four  o'clock  that  morning  he  saw 
her  jump  over  the  levee  at  the  foot  of  St.  Louis  street. 
Every  effort  was  made  to  save  her,  but  death  had  placed 
his  signet  upon  her  ere  the  body  was  recovered  from 
the  water.  I  telegraphed  the  facts  to  Mr.  Marvin,  and 
received  answer : 

" '  Have  her  decently  buried,  and  return  with  her 

effects.' 

"  I  faithfully  performed  the  last  offices  for  the  unfor- 
tunate girl,  who  was  interred  in  the  Washington  Ceme- 
tery, myself  and  P.  being  the  only  mourners.  Over 
her  grave,  a  modest  marble  slab  was  raised,  bearing  the 
simple  name :  '  Fannie  Marvin.'  " 

"  And  what  became  of  Frank  Barton  ?  " 
"I  only  know  from  these  slips  cut  from  the  Pic- 
ayune on  the  day  of  the  tragedy,"  was  his  response. 
He  gave  me  the  following : 

This  morning,  the  body  of  a  beautiful  young  girl,  apparently 
not  over  sixteen  years  of  age.  was  conveyed  to  the  dead-house, 
by  officer  Black.  As  she  lay  there  in  the  quietude  of  death, 
she  presented  a  striking  contrast  to  most  of  those  who  had  oc- 
cupied the  slab  before  her.  The  features  were  natural,  the  eyes 
closed,  iind  an  expression  of  serene  rest  was  visible.  The  long 
flowing  auburn  hair,  moist  with  the  cruel  waters,  fell  over  shoul- 
ders spotless  as  the  camelia,  and  the  tiny  hands  were  crossed 
upon  her  breast,  displaying  a  solitaire  diamond  ring  on  the 
first  finger  of  the  right  hand.  From  the  officer,  we  learned 
that  about  daylight  he  observed  her  hurrying  to  the  levee  foot 
of  St.  Louis  street.  He  followed,  and  reached  it  just  too  late 
to  save  her.  With  the  aid  of  some  boatmen,  the  body  was  re- 
covered. 

From  various  sources,  we  glean  some  particulars  of  her  previ- 
ous history,  and  the  trials  that  led  the  poor  unfortunate  to  seek 


167 

repose  in  the  angry  river.  A  few  months  ago,  while  attending 
a  school  in  New  York,  where  her  parents,  who  are  wealthy,  re- 
side, Fannie  Marvin  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  gambler 
named  Barton,  who  circulates  between  that  city,  Baltimore,  and 
here.  She  fell  a  victim  to  his  intrigues,  and,  to  hide  her  shame 
from  every  eye,  she  accompanied  him  to  this  city,  where  he 
promised  to  make  her  his  wife.  Instead  of  doing  so,  he  eloped 
a  few  weeks  ago  with  Mrs.  Alice  Darling,  of  Jefferson  City,  and 
sailed  for  Vera  Cruz.  For  days,  Fannie  brooded  over  her  deser- 
tion, and  driven  to  remorse,  resolved  to  flee  to  ills  she  knew  not 
of.  On  her  person  was  found  the  following  letter,  addressed  to 
her  father : 

DEAR  PARENTS: 

My  life  has  been  a  sad  one  since  leaving  your  happy  roof.  I 
no  longer  wish  to  quarrel  with  a  cruel  world  that  has  no  smiles 
for  me.  To-night,  I  shall  seek  death  in  the  muddy  waters  of 
the  Mississippi ;  that,  I  hope,  will  wipe  out  the  stain  brought  up- 
on your  name.  Do  not  judge  me  too  cruelly.  I  was  not  bad 
at  heart,  but  was  weak.  I  have  paid  the  penalty  of  my  way- 
wardness, and  go  to  my  death,  and  another  life.  Farewell ;  you 
have  looked  your  last  upon  Fannie.  When  you  receive  this,  I 
shall  be  beneath  the  green  sward,  should  my  body  be  recovered. 

Your  heart-broken 

FANNIK. 

"  That  is  all  I  know  of  Barton,"  continued  detective 
C.  ;  "  but  a  month  ago  I  received  a  letter  from  detec- 
tive P.,  who  states  that  he  hears  Barton  has  returned 
to  the  city,  covered  with  remorse  for  the  injury  he  had 
done  her.  One  day,  while  strolling  through  the  graves, 
P.  stopped  by  Fannie's  tomb,  and  saw  it  decked  with 
flowers,  evidently  by  Barton.  His  attention  was  at- 
tracted to  some  lines  penciled  on  the  slap,  which  he 
copied.  They  are  here  :  " 

"  Once  more  1  kneel,  with  falling  tears, 
Upon  this  green  and  hallowed  sod, 
Where  sleeps  the  hope  of  future  years, 


168 

And,  sorrowing,  bow  beneath  the  rod 
That  falls  upon  my  aching  head  ; 
She  merely  sleeps — she  is  not  dead/ 

"  How  many  weary  weeks  have  pass'd 
Since  down  to  rest  they  laid  her  here  ; 

How  many  tedious  days  grown  old, 
And  I  have  come  to  drop  a  tear, 

Where  death  his  watchful  vigil  keeps — 

She  is  not  dead— she  merely  sleeps  ! 

"  Oft  have  I  gazed  upon  that  form, 

Whose  step  was  blithsome,  joyous,  gay — 
Where  throbb'd  a  heart  by  nature  warm, 

It  beats  no  more — 'tis  smouldering  clay  ; 
The  spirit  lives  in  realms  of  light, 
And  wears  the  robes  of  peerless  white. 

"  And  while  I  bow  beside  this  mound, 

I  feel  her  spirit  hov'ring  near — 
A  heavenly  incense  breathed  around, 

She  bids  me  smile,  and  dry  the  tear ; 
'Tis  done  !  a  while  I  grope  alone, 
Then  join  her  in  her  spirit  home." 

"P.  endeavored  to  ascertain  if  Frank  Barton  had 
been  in  the  city,"  continued  detective  C. ;  but  was  un- 
successful. I  am  satisfied,  however,  that  he  is  the  vis- 
itor who  decked  her  early  tomb  in  the  city  of  the 
dead" 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

AN  OPINION  THAT  DESERVES  CONSIDERATION — AN   ANTI-WO- 
MAN'S RIGHTS  OLD  BACHELOR  ON  THE  LAWS  OP  MARRIAGE. 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  incidents  in  relation 
to  the  faithlessness  of  wives,  and  the  laxity  of  the  mar- 
riage relation,  which  is  becoming  less  sacred  every  day, 
it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  copy  the  following  com- 
ments, by  "  Morton  Mullygrubs :  " 

"  You  are  not  up  to  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  cause 
and  cure  of  the  evil  of  prostitution  you  complain 
of  so  often.  The  surest  way  of  preventing  the  evil 
is  to  encourage  marriages.  But  our  laws  are  all  so 
framed  as  to  greatly  discourage  marriages,  because  they 
put  an  intolerable  burden  on  the  male  sex  to  support 
female  vanity  and  love  of  dress.  Men,  therefore,  do 
not  marry  as  freely  as  they  would  if  the  disabilities 
they  labor  under  were  removed,  and,  as  a  consequence, 
the  evil  is  encouraged.  The  laws  have  stripped  the 
American  husband  of  all  his  rights,  and  have  increased 
his  duties.  Do  you  wonder,  then,  if  men  hesitate  to 
put  the  halter  of  marriage  on  their  necks  ?  Let  a  hus- 
band attempt  to  control  his  wife  in  regard  to  her  going 
in  or  going  out,  in  regard  to  her  expenses,  or  in  regard 
to  her  performing  properly  her  household  affairs,  and 
what  is  the  result  ?  A  quarrel,  followed  by  the  wile 
22 


170 

dragging  the  husband  before  the  courts,  where  not  the 
first  chance  is  given  him  of  a  proper  defense.  He  is 
compelled  to  pay  her  lawyer's  expenses,  and  a  weekly 
payment  of  alimony,  often  three-quarters  of  his  income, 
and  often  imprisoned.  His  defense  is  not  heard,  or,  if 
heard,  not  minded  in  the  least  by  the  Judge.  It  seems 
enough  that  a  wife  accuses  him,  to  convict  him  of  any- 
thing. A  wife  may  keep  her  property  free  from  liabil- 
ity of  her  husband's  debts ;  but  he  is  liable  for  all  of 
her  debts..  If  he  refuse  her  an  extravagant  silk  dress 
or  jewelry,  all  she  has  to  do  is  go  and  get  it  and  have 
it  charged  to  him.  He  is  compelled  to  pay.  It  being  so 
easy  for  a  wife  to  get  what  extravagant  dress  she  fan- 
cies she  ought  to  have,  to  be  equal  to  Mrs.  Grundy 
around  the  corner,  she  yields  to  the  temptation,  gets  it 
and  lets  the  husband  pay  if  he  can.  If  so,  all  right  It 
keeps  him  poor  all  his  life.  If  he  can  not,  he  must 
steal  or  fail.  But  the  greatest  evil  is  that  the  display  of 
extravagance  by  married  women  spoils  the  girls  that 
are  not  married,  and  they  tell  you  plainly  that  if  you  are 
not  ready  to  support  them  in  great  style,  you  must  not 
make  any  attempt  to  marry  them,  and  thence  it  follows 
that  nearly  all  young  men  of  moderate  salary  or  means 
are  unable  to  marry.  What  follows  ?  Debasing  of 
the  male  sex  to  the  vile  women  in  the  city,  which  in  its 
turn  is  speedily  followed  by  the  ruin  of  some,  at 
least,  of  the  girls  who  will  not  marry  a  man  of  small 
means.  I  tell  you  to  make  marriage  easy,  and  you 
stop  the  source  of  the  revenue  that  keeps  up  the  social 
evil.  You  can  not  make  marriage  easy  until  you  put 
the  woman  conpletely  under  control  of  the  man,  and 
compel  her  to  obey  his  every  lawful  wish.  Repeal  all 
the  laws  that  put  women  in  their  present  position  of 
independence  from  and  defiance  of  their  husbands  or 


171 

fathers,  and  then  only  will  you  see  the  social  evil  decline 
and  nearly  disappear.  The  married  woman's  property- 
law  should  be  the  first  to  go ;  the  laws  giving  alimony, 
and  the  laws  by  which  a  woman  can  cause  the  arrest  of 
her  husband,  should  be  the  next  All  are  a  disgrace  to 
our  statute  book,  and  the  cause  of  our  social  rottenness." 

There  are  some  tangible  truths,  given  by  this  man  of 
uncouth  name,  in  what  he  says.  The  laws,  as  at  pres- 
ent, take  down  the  barrier  of  a  husband's  defense, 
and  render  him  liable  to  the  whims  and  caprices  of  a 
wife,  who  may,  in  all  other  respects,  be  virtuous  and 
good,  but  who  may  be  surrounded  by  gossiping  females 
who  have  some  sinister  motive  in  encouraging  strife  in 
his  family  ;  or  perhaps  by  one  of  the  "  Flora  McFlimsy  " 
stripe,  whose  husband,  so  dotingly  fond  and  equally 
blind,  has  in  the  course  of  a  short  commercial  career 
amassed  sufficient  wealth  to  enable  him  to  keep  her 
in  as  many  extra  chignons,  and  as  many  panniers 
of  different  hues  as  will  eclipse  all  the  ladies  on  the 
avenue.  But  by-and-by  stocks  fall,  or  the  bubble 
bursts,  and  perhaps  Flora,  to  keep  pace  with  the 
style  of  her  former  extravagance,  places  herself  in  the 
category  of  criminals  of  whom  Superintendent  Ken- 
nedy, it  is  said,  kept  a  careful  record,  to  be  handed  to 
our  legislators  for  their  correction  and  the  benefit  of  so- 
ciety at  large. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

MAKKIAGE  OF  DIVORCEES — THE  MORAL  AND  CIVIL  LAWS  WHICH 
REGULATE  THE  MARITAL  TIE — A  SCRAP  OP  HISTORY  FROM 
THE  HERALD  COPIED  PROM  ANOTHER  MORALIST — THE 
STORY  OP  GENERAL  JACKSON  AND  MRS.  ROBARDS. 

"The  recent  public  interest  which  has  gathered 
around  the  Richardson-Macfarland-marriage  tragedy  in 
New  York,  bespeaks  something  more  than  a  passing 
sensation.  It  has  set  multitudes  of  men  and  women  to 
reflecting  upon  our  laws,  both  moral  and  civil,  which 
regulate  the  marriage  tie,  and  we  trust  that  a  wholesome 
public  opinion  will  in  time  vindicate  all  the  due  rights 
of  the  parties  here  concerned.  But  the  question  of 
marrying  wives  recently  divorced,  or  seeking  to  be  di- 
vorced without  the  consent  of  their  husbands,  involves 
too  many  interests,  both  in  the  rights  of  children  and 
the  good  opinion  of  society,  to  be  lightly  determined. 
Very  seldom  does,  it  happen  that  a  man  can  enter  into 
such  a  relation  without  at  least  braving  the  opinions  of 
the  majority  of  mankind.  While  conjugal  happiness 
may,  and  frequently  does,  attend  such  unions,  the  par- 
ties to  them  are  commonly  subjected  through  life  to  a 
criticism  far  more  exacting  than  attends  the  parties  to 
ordinary  marriages. 

"  Never,  perhaps,  was  there  a  man  better  suited,  by 
independence  of  character  and  rectitude  of  conduct,  to 


173 

rise  superior  to  this  popular  prejudice,  than  was  An- 
drew Jackson,  seventh  President  of  the  United  States. 
The  private  life  of  this  famous,  man  was  without  a  stain. 
He  cherished  a  romantic,  almost  fanatical,  devotion  to 
his  wife  while  living,  and  for  her  memory  when  dead. 
Mrs.  Jackson,  judged  by  the  sum  of  accounts  which 
have  reached  us,  was  a  person  of  irreproachable  char- 
acter, great  goodness  of  heart,  but  of  very  limited  know- 
ledge and  accomplishments.  Jackson  had  become  ac- 
quainted with  her  when  a  young  attorney  in  Western 
Tennessee,  boarding  at  the  house  of  her  mother,  Mrs. 
Donelson.  Rachel  Donelson  had  been  married  several 
years  to  Captain  Robards,  of  Mercer  county,  Kentucky. 
He  appears  to  have  been  a  quarrelsome  and  jealous  per- 
son, ill-suited  to  make  a  woman  happy,  and  their  mar- 
ried life  did  not  run  smoothly.  Early  in  the  year  1788, 
Mrs.  Robards  went  home  to  her  mother,  the  parties 
having  agreed  to  a  final  separation.  But  Captain  Ro- 
bards found  himself  very  unhappy,  and  voluntarily 
sought  a  reconciliation  with  his  wife,  which  took  place 
in  the  following  year.  It  was  then  that  Jackson  just 
became  acquainted  with  the  parties.  He  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age,  with  a  high  sense  of  honor,  and  a 
chivalrous  notion  of  what  was  due  to  women.  The 
treatment  of  Mrs.  Robards  by  her  unreasonably  jealous 
husband,  awakened  his  indignation  and  sympathy. 
This  could  not  happen  without  making  Captain  Ro- 
bards still  more  jealous  and  furious.  After  a  violent 
quarrel,  in  the  course  of  which  Jackson  threatened  to 
cut  off  Captain  Robards'  ears,  if  he  ever  connected  his 
(Jackson's)  name  with  Mrs.  Robards  again,  the  insanely 
jealous  Captain  again  left  his  wife  at  her  mother's  and 
returned  to  Kentucky.  Jackson  had  previously  left 
Mrs.  Donelson's  and  taken  other  quarters,  to  avoid  any 


174 

wrong  interpretation  that  might  be  put  upon  his  regard 
for  Mrs.  Robards.  This  was  in  1790.  In  1791,  it  was 
rumored  that  Captain  Eobards  had  threatened  to  re- 
turn and  take  his  wife  to  Kentucky.  The  latter  was 
much  alarmed,  and  so  was  her  mother,  Mrs.  Doiielson 
having  found,  after  two  fair  trials,  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  her  daughter  to  live  with  Captain  Robards. 
They  were  anxious  to  keep  her  out  of  his  way,  and  it 
was  determined  that  she  should  go  down  the  river  to 
Natchez,  Mississippi.  Mrs.  Robards  went  under  the 
protection  of  an  old  man  named  Stack,  who  earnestly 
pressed  Jackson,  a  warm  friend  to  all  parties,  to  accom- 
pany them,  as  Indian  outrages  were  then  very  common, 
and  everybody  went  armed.  Jackson,  who  could 
never  bear  to  see  a  woman  unprotected,  arranged  his 
law  business,  descended  the  river  with  the  pair,  and 
quickly  returned  to  Tennessee,  resuming  his  practice  at 
Nashville. 

"Meanwhile,  early  in  the  winter  of  1791,  Captain 
Robards  had  obtained  from  the  Legislature  of  Virginia 
(Kentucky  being  then  under  jurisdiction  of  Virginia 
law),  an  act  authorizing  him  to  sue  for  a  divorce.  To 
obtain  this,  he  made  declaration  that  his  wife  Rachel 
had  deserted  him,  and  was  living  in  adultery  with  an- 
other man,  to-wit:  Andrew  Jackson,  attorney-at-law. 
This  may  have  been  perjury  at  the  time ;  but  as  Jack- 
son immediately  married  Mrs.  Robards,  on  the  public 
rumor  of  her  husband's  application  to  the  Legislature, 
and  lived  with  her  for  upward  of  two  years  before  the 
divorce  was  actually  obtained  by  decree  of  a  court,  it 
remains  true  that  this  chivalrous  and  irreproachable 
man  was  technically  guilty  of  adultery.  By  the  old 
Virginia  laws,  a  man  seeking  a  divorce  on  the  ground 
of  his  wife's  infidelity,  had  to  procure  an  act  of  the 


175 

Legislature  to  authorize  a  trial  of  the  cause  before  a 
jury,  and  pronouncing  the  marriage  tie  dissolved,  pro- 
vided the  jury  found  her  guilty.  Now,  Captain  Bo- 
bards,  instead  of  pressing  the  matter  to  an  ultimatum  in 
1791,  when  authorized  by  the  Virginia  Legislature  to 
put  the  case  on  trial,  only  went  before  a  Kentucky 
jury  in  September,  1793,  when  his  wife  had  been 
two  years  married  to  Jackson.  Of  course,  the  jury  of 
Mercer  county  (at  Harrodsburg),  could  at  that  time  do 
nothing  else  than  find  for  the  plaintiff,  and  his  marriage 
was  declared  by  the  court  dissolved.  Out  of  these  cir- 
cumstances sprang  all  the  reports  to  the  discredit  of 
Mrs.  Jackson,  which  were  so  widely  circulated  during 
her  lifetime,  and  which  made  her  husband  so  furious. 
Says  one  of  his  biographers  :  '  His  worst  quarrels  arose 
from  this  cause,  or  were  greatly  aggravated  by  it  He 
became  sore  upon  the  subject.  For  the  man  who  dared 
to  breathe  Mrs.  Jackson's  name,  except  in  honor,  he 
kept  pistols  in  perfect  order  for  thirty-seven  years.' 
He  fancied  that  such  men  as  Henry  Clay,  and  John 
Quincy  Adams,  in  the  after  days,  when  political  rivalry 
ran  high,  were  personally  busied  in  the  dirty  work  of 
reviving,  for  publication,  the  slanders  against  his  wife's 
virtue.  He  was  morbidly  sensitive  on  the  subject; 
and  although  the  married  life  of  the  pair  was  extremely 
happy — indeed,  one  of  the  happiest  ever  known,  the 
mutual  love  and  respect  of  the  parties  to  it  continually 
growing — yet  the  singular  circumstances  that  sur- 
rounded its  inception  were  a  life-long  source  of  annoy- 
ance to  both. 

"  The  testimony  respecting  the  true  history  of  Gen- 
eral Jackson's  marriage,  to  a  wife  who  was  at  the  same 
time  divorced  and  not  divorced  (divorced  in  reality, 
but  still  married  in  law),  is  a  little  conflicting.  One 


176 

witness,  who  knew  the  parties  well,  says :  '  At  what 
time  Kobards  instituted  proceedings  for  a  divorce,  I  do 
not  know.  Jackson,  seeing  she  had  lost  her  husband 
on  his  account,  swore  by  the  Eternal  he  would  take  her 
under  his  own  protection,  and  not  long  after  they  step- 
ped into  a  boat,  descended  to  Natchez,  and  were  mar- 
ried by  a  Catholic  priest.  They  were  afterward  mar- 
ried by  a  Protestant,  I  believe.'  On  the  other  hand, 
Judge  Overtoil,  who  was  Jackson's  fellow-boarder  at 
Mrs.  Donelson's,  where  the  acquaintance  with  Mrs.  Ko- 
bards commenced,  has  left  on  record  a  long  narrative 
of  the  circumstances,  which,  though  not  coherent  in  all 
its  parts,  makes  the  marriage  the  direct  corollary  of  the 
divorce.  Says  Judge  Overton  : 

"  'In  the  summer  of  1791,  General  Jackson  went  to 
Natchez,  and,  I  understand,  married  Mrs.  Robards,  then 
believed  to  be  freed  from  Captain  Eobards  by  the  di- 
vorce in  the  early  winter.  About  the  month  of  De- 
cember, 1793,  I  learned  for  the  first  time  that  Captain 
Robards  had  applied  to  Mercer  Court,  in  Kentucky,  for 
a  divorce,  which  had  then  recently  been  granted,  and 
that  the  Legislature  had  not  absolutely  granted  a  di- 
vorce, but  left  it  for  the  court  to  do.  I  need  not  ex- 
press my  surprise  on  learning  that  the  Virginia  Legis- 
lature had  not  divorced  Captain  Robards.  I  informed 
General  Jackson  of  it,  who  was  equally  surprised,  and 
I  suggested  the  propriety  of  his  procuring  a  license,  on 
his  return  home,  and  having  the  marriage  ceremony 
again  performed,  so  as  to  prevent  all  futiire  caviling  on. 
the  subject.  To  this  suggestion,  he  replied  that  he  had 
long  since  been  married,  on  the  belief  that  a  divorce 
had  been  obtained,  which  was  the  understanding  of  every 
person  in  the  country  ;  nor  was  it  without  difficulty  he 
could  be  induced  to  believe  otherwise.  On  our  return 


177 

home  from  Jonesboro'  to  Nashville,  in  January,  1794, 
a  license  was  obtained,  and  the  marriage  ceremony  per- 
formed.' 

"  This  circumstantial  account  indicates,  to  say  the 

*/ 

least  of  it,  a  surprising  ignorance  as  to  the  law  of  di- 
vorce, on  the  part  of  two  lawyers  (Andrew  Jackson  and 
Judge  Overton),  one  of  whom  was,  moreover,  profoundly 
and  personally  interested  in  the  provisions  of  the  law. 
But  we  see  no  good  reason  to  doubt  the  rectitude  of  in- 
tention and  entire  honor  of  General  Jackson  in  the  prem- 
ises. We  find  his  intimate  friend,  Judge  Overton,  tes- 
tifying as  follows,  respecting  the  period  just  before 
Jackson's  marriage : 

" '  About  the  time  of  Mrs.  Donelson's  communication 
to  me,  respecting  her  daughter's  intention  of  going  to 
Natchez,  I  perceived  in  Jackson  symptoms  of  more  than 
usual  concern.  I  determined  to  ascertain  the  cause, 
when  he  frankly  told  me  that  he  was  the  most  unhappy 
of  men,  in  having  innocently  and  unintentionally  been 
the  cause  of  the  loss  of  peace  and  happiness  of  Mrs. 
Robards,  whom  he  believed  to  be  a  fine  woman.  *  *  * 
Since  the  year  1791,  I  have  been  intimate  in  his  fam- 
ily, and,  from  the  mutual  and  uninterrupted  happiness 
of  the  General  and  Mrs.  Jackson,  as  well  as  those  deli- 
cate and  polite  attentions  which  have  ever  been  recipro- 
cated between  them,  I  have  been  long  confirmed  in  the 
opinion  that  there  never  existed  any  other  than  what  was 
believed  to  be  the  most  honorable  and  virtuous  inter- 
course between  them.  Before  their  going  to  Natchez, 
I  had  daily  opportunities  of  being  convinced  that  there 
was  none  other ;  before  being  married  in  the  Natchez 
country,  after  it  was  understood  that  a  divorce  had 
been  granted  by  the  Legislature  of  Virginia,  it  is  be- 
lieved there  was  none.' 
23 


178 

"  It  does  undoubtedly  appear  that  Jackson's  position 
in  the  society  at  Nashville,  was  not  unfavorably  affected 
by  the  circumstances  of  his  marriage  to  Mrs.  Robards. 
Not  until  political  rancor  led  to  the  revival  of  the  mar- 
riage history,  with  its  accompaniments,  was  there  any 
visitation  upon  him  of  social  obloquy  on  account  of  his 
wife.  That  lady,  although  described  as  beautiful  in 
her  earlier  years,  and  a  brunette  of  decided  attractions 
at  the  time  Jackson  married  her,  does  not  appear  to 
have  held  the  same  sway  over  the  admiration  of  others, 
that  she  maintained  with  her  husband,  in  later  years. 
He,  indeed,  thought  her  the  paragon  of  women,  and  all 
the  hidden  tenderness  of  his  rough  and  austere  nature 
was  lavished  upon  her.  During  a  married  life  of 
thirty-seven  years,  from  1791  to  1828,  he  was  the  most 
exemplary  and  devoted  of  husbands.  And,  when  Mrs. 
Jackson  died,  just  in  the  flush  of  his  first  triumphant 
election  to  the  Presidency,  he  never  married  again. 

"  The  lady  has  been  described  by  one  of  her  own 
sex,  the  wife  of  an  officer  in  the  army,  who  saw  much 
of  the  married  life  of  the  pair  about  the  time  of  the 
Presidential  conflict  of  1827-'28.  She  describes  Mrs. 
Jackson  as  a  stout,  coarse-looking,  little  old  woman, 
whom  you  might  easily  mistake  for  his  washer- woman, 
were  it  not  for  the  marked  attention  he  pays  her,  and 
the  love  and  admiration  she  manifests  for  him.  Her 
eyes  are  bright,  and  express  great  kindness  of  heart ; 
her  face  is  rather  broad,  her  features  plain  ;  her  com- 
plexion so  dark  as  almost  to  suggest  a  mingling  of 
races,  in  that  climate  where  such  things  sometimes  oc- 
cur.* """  *  The  General  always  treated  her  as  if  she  were 
his  pride  and  glory,  and  words  can  faintly  describe  her 
devotion  to  him.  I  well  recollect  to  what  disadvantage 
Mrs.  Jackson  appeared,  with  her  dowdy fied  figure,  her 


179 

inelegant  conversation,  and  her  total  want  of  refine- 
ment, in  the  midst  of  a  highly  cultivated  group,  as  the 
Nashville  Inn  was  at  that  time  filled  with  celebrities, 
nearly  all  warm  supporters  of  the  General.  My  father 
visited  them  at  the  Hermitage  more  than  once.  I  re- 
member his  telling  an  anecdote  characteristic  of  Mrs. 
Jackson.  After  the  evening  meal  at  the  Hermitage, 
where  the  latch-string  was  always  out,  he  and  some 
other  officers  were  seated  with  the  worthy  couple  by 
their  ample  fire-place.  Mrs.  Jackson,  as  was  her  favorite 
custom,  lighted  her  pipe,  and,  having  taken  a  whiff  or 
two,  handed  it  to  my  father,  saying:  'Honey,  won't 
you  take  a  smoke  ?  ' 

"  This  account,  we  must  remember,  was  written  by  a 
woman.  When  Mrs.  Jackson  died,  in  December, 
1828,  the  citizens  of  Nashville  had  just  completed  pre- 
parations for  a  great  Jackson  banquet,  in  honor  of  the 
election  of  their  favorite  to  the  Presidency.  All  the 
venom  and  aspersions  of  the  anti-Jackson  sympathy, 
including  the  charge  of  adultery  against  him  and  his 
cherished  wife,  had  failed  to  check  his  triumphant  ca- 
reer of  popularity.  But  the  dragging  of  her  name  into 
the  public  prints  on  such  a  disgraceful  charge,  exasper- 
ated him  and  deeply  wounded  her.  It  aggravated  a 
heart  disease,  under  which  she  had  long  suffered  at  in- 
tervals, and  it  unquestionably  shortened  her  life.  She 
was  stricken  with  paralysis  at  the  age  of  61,  and,  after 
lingering  in  great  agony  for  five  days,  she  expired. 
Jackson  never  quite  recovered  from  the  blow  which 
the  loss  of  his  wife  inflicted  upon  him.  He  was  for 
days  the  picture  of  despair.  The  funeral  drew  together 
an  immense  concourse  of  sincere  mourners.  She  was 
interred  at  the  Hermitage,  in  the  same  corner  of  the 
srarden  where  the  remains  of  the  old  chieftain  himself 


180 

were  subsequently  laid  to  rest  The  journals  of  Ten- 
nessee united  in  eulogizing  the  virtues  of  Mrs.  Jack- 
son, and  her  husband  caused  to  be  inscribed  on  her 
tomb  the  following  remarkable  epitaph  : 

"  '  Here  lie  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Rachel  Jackson,  wife 
of  President  Jackson,  who  died  the  22d  of  December, 
1828,  aged  sixty-one.  Her  face  was  fair,  her  heart 
kind ;  she  delighted  in  relieving  the  wants-  of  her  fel- 
low-creatures, and  cultivated  that  divine  pleasure  by 
the  most  liberal  and  unpretending  methods;  to  the 
poor  she  was  a  benefactor  ;  to  the  rich  an  example ;  to 
the  wretched  a  comforter ;  to  the  prosperous  an  orna- 
ment. Her  piety  went  hand  in  hand  with  her  benevo- 
lence, and  she  thanked  her  Creator  for  being  permitted 
to  do  good.  A  being  so  gentle  and  so  virtuous,  slander 
might  wound,  but  could  not  dishonor.  Even  death, 
when  he  tore  her  from  the  arms  of  her  husband,  could 
but  transport  her  to  the  bosom  of  her  God.'  " 

Editor,  "  trusts  that  a  wholesome  public  opinion  will 
in  time  vindicate  the  rights  of  the  parties  here  con- 
cerned." Although  the  preceding  is  a  part  of  history, 
would  it  not  have  been  more  charitable  to  place  another 
vail  over  the  faults  or  foibles  of  General  Jackson,  by 
concealing  them,  than  by  holding  them  up,  at  this  late 
day,  as  an  excuse  for  Beecher  and  Frothingham  in 
their  sacrilegious  blasphemy  ? 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

EXTRACT  FROM  THE  HERALD — THAT  JOURNAL,  AS  A  MORALIST 
— AFFINITY  VERSUS  MATRIMONY — ANOTHER  ILLUSTRATION 
OF  THE  GREAT  SOCIAL  STRUGGLE — How  AN  UNFAITHFUL 
HUSBAND  WAS  OVERTAKEN  BY  JUSTICE. 

"  When  the  wise  man  was  asked  who  was  the  great- 
est preacher  in  his  day,  he  replied,  '  example,'  and  that 
reply  stands  011  record  as  a  truism  never  t  disputed  in 
any  code  of  ethics.  In  these  days,  we  are  progressing 
so  fast  that  even  in  crime  there  is  a  novelty  which 
keeps  ahead  of  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  leaves  the 
moralist,  the  philosopher,  and  the  rhetorician  tugging 
at  the  coat-tails  of  old  Father  Time,  and  almost  in  des- 
pair that  he  will  ever  slacken  his  pace.  All  good  men 
hope  that  the  career  which  points  to  the  dark  abyss  as 
the  goal,  will  be  of  short  duration,  and  that  the  eleventh 
hour  can  be  utilized  to  check  the  advance  of  pernicious 
theories,  which  are  jever  the  preludes  of  great  social 
evils.  There  is  no  question  of  our  time,  on  which  so 
much  depends  as  the  inviolability  of  the  marriage  tie, 
which  must  be  regarded  as  the  cohesive  power  which 
holds  together  the  fabric  of  society,  j  ust  as  surely  as 
the  great  law  of  nature  '  moulds  a  tear.'  The  divorce 
law,  the  Fourier  system,  and  the  doctnne  of  affinities,  are 
so  many  disturbing  forces,  which  can  no  more  over- 
come the  higher  force  than  the  transit  of  Venus,  the 


182 

passage  of  a  comet,  or  the  falling  of  a  meteor,  can  destroy 
the  cohesion  of  the  earth  or  arrest  it  in  its  orbit. 
Though  the  violations  of  the  matrimonial  bonds  have 
been  quite  common  during  the  past  few  years,  it  was 
only  when  the  evil  culminated  in  the  Bichardson-Mac- 
farland  case,  that  public  attention  was  attracted  to  this 
question,  and  people  have  since  regarded  it  with  grave 
apprehensions.  But  it  is  consoling  to  know  that 
while  men  in  high  places,  and  men  claiming  to  stand 
in  holy  places,  lend  their  sanction  to  the  growing  evil, 
there  is  still  left  a  sense  of  justice  somewhere,  as  the 
following  case  will  show  : 

"  William  Yan  Zallen  was  married  a  year  ago,  and 
lie  and  his  wife  lived  on  the  most  amicable  terms,  in 
North  Seventh  street,  Williamsburgh.  Six  weeks  ago, 
he  began  to  stay  away  at  night  from  his  home,  and  for 
three  weeks  he  remained  out  in  this  way.  His  wife's 
suspicions  were  aroused,  and  on  Thursday  last  she 
traced  him  to  the  residence  of  one  Margaret  Naigher,  in 
Seventh  street.  She  thereupon  upbraided  him  for  his 
infidelity,  and  threatened  to  expose  him  if  he  did  not 
adandon  his  new  haunt  forthwith.  Here  commenced  a 
regular  domestic  war,  the  husband  feeling  humiliated 
and  mortified  at  being  detected  so  openly,  and  the  wife 
learning  with  indignation  and  jealousy  that  such  a  state 
of  things,  had  so  long  existed  without  her  knowledge. 
"William  at  length  struck  on  a  plan  by  which  he  thought 
he  could  rid  himself  of  a  troublesome  burden,  or,  as 
people  expressed  it  some  years  ago,  of  a  wife.  Ac- 
cordingly, on  Friday  afternoon,  a  collection  of  furniture 
was  packed  on  a  wagon  in  North  Seventh  street ;  a 
wink  and  a  whisper  were  enough  for  the  driver,  and 
half  an  hour  afterward,  Williamsburgh  was  as  guiltless 
of  the  presence  of  Van  Zallen  and  his  new  attraction, 


183 

Margaret,  as  if  they  never  existed.  The  scene  changes, 
and  the  same  wagon,  after  crossing  the  Brooklyn  and 
Jersey  ferries,  stops  at  a  house  in  Dutch  row,  Hudson 
City,  and  the  work  of  unloading  commences.  All  this 
time,  wife  No.  1  was  not  sleeping.  She  had  her  spies 
out,  and  the  husband  had  scarcely  established  himself 
in  the  new  quarters,  where  he  fondly  hoped  he  would 
be  free  from  any  intrusion  or  annoyance  from  wife  No. 
1,  when  the  latter  presented  herself  before  him.  Here 
was  a  dilemma ;  he  looked  daggers  at  her,  and  the  in- 
terview, or  rather  conflict,  which  followed  was  short, 
sharp,  and  decisive.  He  struck  her  a  heavy  blow  on 
the  face,  which  felled  her  to  the  ground,  and  there  he 
left  her,  deserted,  powerless,  and  stunned,  to  crawl  off 
as  best  she  could. 

"  The  scene  again  changes,  and  we  find  her  in  the 
office  of  Eecorder  Aldridge,  where  she  told  her  story, 
and  the  humane  magistrate  was  not  heedless  of  her  con- 
dition. He  issued  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  the  un- 
natural husband,  who  was  soon  brought  up  by  officer 
Reilly  and  confronted  with  the  injured  woman.  The 
fact  that  she  carried  her  child  in  her  arms  when  she  re- 
ceived the  stunning  blow,  made  the  fellow's  conduct  still 
more  outrageous  and  brutal.  The  Recorder  informed 
him  that  whatever  lessons  he  may  have  learned  on 
Brooklyn  Heights  with  regard  to  his  obligations  as  a 
husband,  he  would  not  be  permitted  to  put  such 
theories  into  practice  in  New  Jersey.  Such  doctrines 
were  never  recognized  in  that  State,  and  the  man  who 
was  fool-hardy  enough  to  introduce  them  should  bear 
the  consequences.  Such  a  plant  of  socialism  is  not  of 
Jersey  growth ;  her  gardens  are  on  Brooklyn  Heights 
and  in  Salt  Lake  City.  The  atmosphere  of  New  Jer- 
sey would  be  fatal  to  it.  In  order,  therefore,  to  make 


184 

an  example  which  would  be  more  effective  than  any 
pulpit  oration,  he  would  impose  heavy  bail,  on  the 
charge  of  atrocious  assault.  As  Yan  Zallen  did  not 
furnish  the  required  security,  he  was  committed  to  the 
Hudson  county  jail,  where  he  remains,  without  any 
probability  of  his  being  speedily  released. 

"  In  the  course  of  the  investigation,  it  transpired  that 
Margaret  Naigher  had  buried  her  husband  and  married 
again.  The  second  husband  soon  vacated  for  his 
greater  comfort  and  happiness.  Of  course,  she  could 
not  get  along  without  some  companion  to  console  her 
in  such  a  sea  of  trouble,  and  it  was  in  this  emergency 
that  Van  Zallen  turned  up  and  lavished  his  attentions 
on  her.  It  appears  that  she  had  money  enough  to  make 
her  comfortable,  and  Van  Zallen  obtained  sums  from 
her  at  different  times,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to 
$150.  "Wife  No.  2,  or,  as  the  Kecorder  styled  her, 
'  mate  No.  1,'  remains  in  Dutch  row  to  guard  the  prem- 
ises and  furniture,  and  wait  the  deliverance  of  her  '  dear 
William  '  from  captivity.  Jersey  justice  is  not  only 
sure,  but  it  is  very  often  swift." 

Then  follows,  in  the  same  journal  (on  the  Sabbath), 
the  usual  assignations  : 

Fifth   avenue  stage,  Fulton  ferry,  Brooklyn  cars  and  store- 
could  not  lose  my  time  that  way  ;  would  like  to  see  you  again. 
Address  R.  R.  R.,  Herald  office. 


JENNIE  S. — I  will  meet  you  as  per  appointment. 

MOONLIGHT. 


Mrs.  Franklin,  from  Jersey,  will  please  call  at  once  at  Mrs. 
Beuthncr's,  323  West  Twenty-third  street,  or  give  city  address. 
References  satisfactory. 


185 

MARY — I  am  wretched  beyond  conception.      Your  treatment 

is  heartless,  but  I  take  the  blow  and  forgive  you, 

HENBI. 


N.  Y.  B. — I  am  very  anxious  to  see  you.    Letters  of  great  im- 
portance to  you  at  823. 

B. 


Remain  at  home  Sunday ;  four  compliments. 


Will  Effie  Wilson  call  on  Mrs.  F.  Howard,  51  West  Twenty - 
sixth  street  ? 


You  can  see  me  at  14  East  Thirteenth  street. 

Lou. 

18th  STREET — Louise  K.,  write  to  me  again.      Your  old  ac- 
quaintance, G.,  Eighteenth  street. 
24 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

SABBATH  MORALIZING  OP  THE  "  WORLD  " — SOCIAL  STUDIES — A 

FOHTUNE-TELLER. 

"  If  there  were  no  'flats  '  in  this  world,  the  '  sharps  ' 
could  not  make  a  living,  is  an  original  proverb,  bor- 
rowing its  technical  terms  from  the  nomenclature  of 
music,  and  maintaining  a  very  general  harmony  with 
the  experiences  of  a  majority  of  observing  mankind. 
By  the  universal  and  indisputable  law  of  compensation, 
the  existence  of  knaves  in  this  world  necessitates  the 
contemporaneity  of  an  equivalent  number  of  fools,  and 
vice  versa  ;  nor  can  any  development  of  common  human 
wisdom  extirpate  either  class  while  the  other  still  lives 
by  the  condition  of  duping,  or  being  duped.  Populus 
vult  decipi.  There  would  seem  to  be  something  in  the 
abstract  idea  of  deception  that  exercises  a  curious 
tempting  influence  over  the  keenest  of  minds,  and  quite 
bewitches  the  lower,  or  average,  grade  of  intellect. 
'  The  people  love  to  be  deceived. '  Only  let  the  first 
condition  conceded  have  the  cheap,  vulgar  romance  of 
deception,  and  the  deceived  one,  before  he  or  she  knows 
it,  is  led  easily  into  the  most  evident  pit- falls  of  fraud. 
There  is  something  in  human  nature  ever  yearning  for 
the  mystery  of  indirectness,  as  distinguished  from  nor- 
mal straightforwardness  ;  and  so  it  would  appear  that 


187 

knavery  of  almost  any  grade  shall  easily  make  a  living 
in  the  world  while  man  is  man.  Under  this  view  of 
the  subject,  it  is  not  very  difficult  to  understand  how  the 
vast  general  business  of  so-called  '  imposition '  thrives 
steadily  at  all  times,  and  in  all  countries,  despite  the 
continual  light  cast  upon  its  audacious  falsities  by  the 
omnipresent  press,  and  the  hourly  warning  outcries  of 
its  victims.  There  are,  however,  a  few  current  shams 
which  appeal  so  exclusively  to  an  ignorance  almost  in- 
compatible with  the  very  lowest  supposable  grade  of 
modern  mentality,  that  any  one  may  well  wonder  how 
they  can  possibly  find  even  a  single  dupe  in  the  pres- 
ent civilized  age.  One  of  these  is  the  astrological,  or 
fortune-telling,  business,  in  which  thousands  of  unprinci- 
pled, illiterate  impostors  of  both  sexes  still  practice  a 
profitable  trade  all  over  the  world. 

"  The  following  are  fair  specimens  of  the  hundreds  of 
advertisements  that  appear  daily  in  the  leading  journal, 
relating  to  this  subject : 

" '  Madame  Walters,  distinguished  clairvoyant ;  visit  her  for 
everything — sickness,  business,  theft,  names,  numbers,  good 
luck.  409  Canal  street.' 


"  '  Madame  Rosa,  great  natural  clairvoyant,  reveals  your  whole 
life,  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave.     472  Canal  street.    Fee  $1.' 


" '  Madame  Ross,  medical  and  business  clairvoyant.  Tells  past? 
present,  and  future  ;  shows  likeness  and  tells  name  of  your  hus- 
band. No.  159  Forty-first  street,  between  Broadway  and 
Seventh  avenue.' 


" '  Madame  Le  Comte,  medical  and  business  trance  medium.  In- 
formation positive  ;  French  and  English  spoken.  109  Fifteenth 
street,  Sixth  avenue.' 


188 

" '  The  original  Madame  Byron,  spiritualist,  causes  speedy  mar- 
riages. 320  Fourth  avenue,  between  Twenty-third  and  Twenty- 
fourth  streets  Ladies  $1.' 

"  Here,  in  New  York,  we  have  about  a  score  of  '  as- 
trologists,'  or  pretending  soothsayers,  who  regularly  ad- 
vertise their  calling  in  public  print ;  and  at  least  four 
times  as  many  more  who  serve  their  patrons  by  more 
private  channels  of  communication.  These  precious 
disciples  of  Nostradamus  are,  with  scarcely  an  excep- 
tion, the  most  vulgar,  ignorant,  and  dirty  of  adventur- 
ers ;  yet  they  all  find  their  paying  customers,  and  these 
latter  are  not  all  'silly  old  women  and  countrymen,'  by 
any  means.  Their  dingy  dens,  in  shabby  by-streets, 
are  often  visited  by  young  men  and  old  in  city  finery, 
and  by  women  of  stately  address  and  diamonded-fin- 
gers.  The  philosopher  might  attempt  a  solution  of  this 
incongruity  of  civilization  by  tracing  the  basis  of  this 
particular  sham  to  the  ineradicable  superstitious  element 
of  human  nature,  which  is  ever  on  the  alert  for  a  bait, 
in  the  strongest  character,  and  has  never  yet  become 
fully  tractable  to  any  degree  of  materializing  reason. 
This  explanation  might  hold  good  so  far  as  the  dupes 
of  the  modern  fortune-teller  seek  only  to  gratify  hu- 
manity's insatiable  eagerness  to  comprehend  the  future ; 
but  it  is  well  known,  to  our  courts  of  law  at  least,  that 
the  more  intelligent  patrons  of  the  '  astrologer '  have  a 
very  different  errand.  Here  we  come  to  the  real  mod- 
ern leaven  of  this  particular  sham,  and  may  cite  the 
history  of  a  typical  impostor  to  illustrate  and  explain 
the  mystery. 

"  There  died,  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  last  week,  a 
woman  who  once  gained  a  fortune  as  a  professional  for- 
tune-teller. The  suddenness  of  her  death  from  intem- 
perance justified  a  coroner's  inquest,  and  from  the  evi- 


189 

dence  thereat  elicited  comes  the  following  curious  story : 
In  the  year  1854,  a  remarkably  handsome  woman 
named  Catherine  Wittner,  took  service  in  the  above. 
city,  at  a  boarding-house,  and,  by  her  Juno-like  figure 
and  insinuating  manners,  soon  ensnared  the  affection  of 
a  well-to-do  mechanic  named  Wyman.  The  latter 
pressed  his  suit  to  an  honorable  proposal,  with  the  char- 
acteristic rashness  of  unwise  love,  and  was  promptly 
accepted  by  the  pretty  waiter-maid.  The  day  for  their 
nuptials  was  appointed ;  but,  before  its  arrival,  there  ap- 
peared on  the  scene  a  most  passionate  stranger  named 
Wittner,  who  bursted  violently  in  upon  one  of  the 
lovers'  meetings,  and,  after  claiming  Catherine  as  his 
wife,  unhesitatingly  fired  a  pistol  at  the  astonished 
Wyman.  Not  wounded,  but  literally  prostrated  by 
sudden  fright,  the  fond  mechanic  fell  to  the  floor,  and, 
in  the  same  instant,  the  frenzied  husband  blew  his  own 
brains  out  The  ghastly  tragedy  was  not  sufficient,  it 
seems,  to  deter  the  infatuated  Wyman  from  the  con- 
summation of  his  folly,  for  in  a  few  days  thereafter  he 
married  the  woman.  The  scandal  of  such  a  union 
ruined  his  business,  and,  of  course,  ended  his  wife's 
term  of  service ;  whereupon  it  was  the  woman's  device 
that  she  should  start  practice  as  a  fortune-teller  in  a 
glum-looking  house  on  Fifth  street. 

"  Presently,  it  was  advertised  in  the  papers  that 
Madame  Wyman,  the  seventh  daughter  of  a  seventh 
daughter,  would  tell  fortunes,  describe  future  husbands 
and  wives,  recover  stolen  property,  and  give  the  latest 
news  as  to  fortunate  or  sinister  sidereal  combinations. 
A  few  old  grannies  of  both  sexes  were  naturally  the 
first  patrons  of  this  hastily-extemporized  witch  ;  then 
sentimental  servant-maids  and  shop-girls  stealthily 
called  to  hear  about  their  coming  young  men,  and, 


190 

finally,  whiskered  wearers  of  cluster-jewels,  and  silken 
women  closely  vailed,  flitted  in  and  out  of  the  sybil's 
net.  By  some  dark,  mysterious  social  telegraph  it  be- 
came known  that  '  Madame  Wyman  had  never  lost  a 
case  ! '  Such  a  sentence  would  seem  to  have  not  the 
remotest  possible  coherence  with  the  occult  science  of 
fortune-telling,  yet  it,  certainly  acted  like  a  magic  charm 
to  draw  stylish  custom  to  the  temple  of  destiny  in  Filth 
street  Not  only  were  future  husbands  described  mi- 
nutely to  silly  girls,  and  those  husbands  '  accidentally  ' 
brought  into  the  desired  acquaintance  at  the  artful 
time,  but  sin  in  its  fairest  form  was  supplied  with  a  se- 
cure hiding  place  for  its  only  innocent  result.  Further- 
more, among  the  visitors  of  the  handsome  witch  were 
wives,  otherwise  virtuous,  who  sought  from  illegitimate 
art  what  nature  had  denied  them. 

"  Thus,  in  1862,  an  unhappy  young  wife,  from  Ca- 
rondelet,  told  the  vile  sybil  her  story  of  a  marriage 
rendered  cold  by  unfruitfulness,  and  besought  some 
charm  to  break  the  untoward  spell.  As  her  husband 
had  j  ;ist  gone  to  California,  she  was  instructed  to  write 
him  that  Providence  bade  fair,  at  last,  to  crown  their 
union  with  its  most  desired  honor.  After  doing  this, 
she  was  sent  away  to  an  obscure  village,  and  a  poor  lit- 
tle infant  forwarded  secretly  to  her  by  Madame  Wy- 
man. Then  she  went  back  to  Carondelet,  there  to  be 
greeted  with  overwhelming  honor  by  her  returned  hus- 
band, who,  to  this  day,  is  unaware  of  the  black  art 
practiced  upon  him. 

"  So  successful,  indeed,  was  the  fortune-teller  in  this 
transfer  of  disowned  humanity,  that  she  endeavored  to 
practice  it  upon  her  own  husband.  The  latter,  how- 
ever, was  too  shrewed  for  this  last  imposition,  and,  in 
culminating  disgust,  left  his  astrological  helpmate  for- 


191 

ever.  She  easily  obtained  a  Western  divorce,  and  then 
married  a  worthless  wretch  named  Schop,  her  love  for 
whom  proved  her  Nemesis.  The  new  husband  squand- 
ered her  money  as  rapidly  as  it  could  be  made,  in 
every  degree  of  dissipation  ;  she  sought  the  bottle  to 
drown  her  sorrows,  and  one  day  was  found  dead  in 
her  room.  The  whole  story  is  revolting  to  every 
virtuous  sensibility  of  human  nature,  and  only  finds 
place  here  as  an  illustration  of  a  class  of  pestilent 
wretches  whose  snares  are  widely  spread  in  this  and 
other  cities.  The  pretense  of  fortune-telling,  while  it 
lures  many  an  ignorant  young  fool  into  folly,  is  but  a 
cover  to  practices  threatening  the  whole  social  fabric 
with  dissolution. 

"  By  the  light  of  such  an  exposition  as  the  above,  it 
is  seen  that  at  least  one  of  the  shams  puzzling  observers 
by  their  apparent  incompatibility  with  the  progress  of 
civilization,  is  but  a  mask  for  the  latter's  darkest  inge- 
nuity of  crime,  and  borrows  only  a  thin  outward  sem- 
blance from  the  remote  days  when  ignorant  popular 
superstition  disguised  much  less  unnatural  wickedness, 
perhaps,  than  does  modern  atheistical  intelligence." 

This  identical  journal  holds  up  the  tempting  column, 
headed  "  Astrology,"  to  poor,  illiterate  servant-girls  and 
others,  to  seek  those  impostors,  who  delude  their  vic- 
tims. It  says:  "there  would  seem  to  be  something 
in  the  abstract  idea  of  deception  that  exercises  a  tempt- 
ing influence  over  the  keenest  of  minds."  But  why, 
Mr.  Editor  of  the  World,  set  the  example  by  encourag- 
ing the  sin  ?  Why  not  inform  our  legislstors  that  in 
Europe  such  impostors  can  not  have  place,  and  are  sent 
to  the  treadmill  for  six  months  or  longer,  for  obtaining 
money  under  false  pretenses  ? 


CHAPTER  XXXY1I. 

A  CHAPTER  ON  THE  NEW  YORK  PRESS — PAPER  WARFARE — 
THE  "WORLD"  ON  PUBLIC  DECENCY — THE  "TRIBUNE"  AS  A 
MORALIST — A  SLIGHT  DIGRESSION  TO  ELUCIDATE  A  POINT. 

We  copy  the  following  paragraph  from  the  World: 

"  We  publish  to-day  an  account  of  the  means  by  which  pub- 
lic decency  is  scandalized  and  female  virtue  systematically  de- 
praved. It  appears  that  there  exists  in  the  newspaper  press  one 
agency,  and  one  only,  which  the  wretches  who  feed  on  the  corrup- 
tion of  their  kind  are  permitted  to  use  for  their  vile  purposes. 
That  this  agency  should  be  open  to  them  is  an  outrage  which 
calls  for  suppression.  Decent  people  can  suppress  it  if  they  will." 

So  rrmcn  for  the  World  But  in  the  name  of  com- 
mon sense,  why  does  Mr.  Editor  of  the  World  take  up 
so  much  of  its  space  in  holding  up  to  the  public  gaze 
the  faults  of  other  journals  ?  Is  it  not  literally  make- 
believe  on  their  part,  that  they  are  the  real  simon  pure 
Original  Jacobs,  neither  more  nor  less?  It  amounts 
to  buncombe,  or  as  I  before  have  said,  that  it  is  one 
editor  "  pitching  into  "  another  in  the  most  approved 
fashion  known  to  the  code  of  editorial  warfare.  Let 
each  editor  take  Horace  Greeley  for  example,  and  frown 
down  by  their  pens  all  such  advertisements  as  are  pre- 
sented to  them  in  the  form  of  "  Personals."  Then  again, 
demand  of  our  legislature  the  enactment  of  such  laws 
as  will  suppress  the  several  vices  in  our  midst. 


193 
Another  paragraph  from  the  same  source  : 

"  Attention  is  called  to  the  gangs  of  corner-loafers  infesting 
many  of  the  streets  of  the  city.  Many  futile  efforts  have  been 
made  by  the  police  to  abolish  these  pests,  but  our  public  guard- 
ians seem  to  be  either  averse  to  speaking  harshly  to  the  rowdies, 
or  too  weak  to  drive  them  from  their  sidewalk  haunts." 

Mr.  World,  why  tell  us  such  trashy  nonsense,  that 
"  many  futile  efforts  have  been  made  by  the  police  to 
abolish  these  pests  ?  "  Why  put  on  your  gloves  to 
handle  the  subject?  Are  you  afraid  to  offend  some 
ward  politician  ?  If  not,  why  not  call  upon  the  powers 
at  Albany,  to  show  cause  why  they  should  not  enact 
laws  to  prevent  your  sister  or  your  daughter  from  be- 
ing insulted?  No,  your  journal  would  lose  half  of  its 
popularity  by  so-doing.  Come  out  boldly,  and  tell  the 
Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York  that  his  constitu- 
ents demand  a  remedy  for  the  evil.  But  the  local  laws 
of  New  York  are  sufficient,  if  the  police  are  instructed 
in  them,  and  your  duty  as  a  journalist  should  be  a  con- 
servator of  morals,  as  the  police  are  supposed  to  be  con- 
servators of  the  public  peace. 

It  is  not  out  of  place  to  insert  in  these  pages  some  of 
the  leading  advertisements  that  appear  in  the  various 
journals  of  this  city  every  day,  some  devoting  long- 
leading  articles,  by  way  of  recrimination.  These  are  fre- 
quently inserted  when  it  is  desired  to  stir  up  the  ire  of 
one  editor  or  another,  or  create  a  sensation  for  the  time, 
I  should  not  be  at  all  surprised  to  learn  that  a  perfect 
understanding  is  had  between  the  editorial  corps,  that 
they  (to  use  a  phrase  not  classical)  should  "  pitch  into '' 
each  other,  on  this  and  kindred  subjects.  I  entertain 
this  theory  from  the  fact,  that  it  is  in  the  power  of  the 

press  to  point  out  to  our  legislators  the  propriety  of 
25 


194 

enacting  laws  for  the  suppression  of  such  vices  as  they 
themselves  foster  and  encourage  every  day,  in  their 
columns. 

There  is  one  journal  printed  in  New  York  that  I  am 
happy  to  say  is  an  honorable  exception  to  this  rule — 
the  Tribune — presided  over  by  Mr.  Greeley.  It  is  said 
by  some  that  this  is  mainly  owing  to  the  influence  ex- 
erted by  the  strong-minded  portion  of  his  patrons,  and 
that  the  loss  which  the  Tribune  sustains,  in  keeping  that 
character  of  advertising  from  its  columns,  is  made  up  by 
his  promulgating  the  doctrine  of  free  loveism,  and  in 
lectures  delivered  by  the  honorable  gentleman,  before 
the  various  audiences,  on  women's  rights.  This  is  emi- 
nently proper,  for  Scripture  says  "  should  he  reason 
with  unprofitable  talk,  or  with  speeches  wherewith  he 
can  do  no  good."  He  makes  good  the  loss  to  the  Tri- 
bune, by  his  discouraging  the  vicious  column  of  "  Per- 
sonals "  from  that  journal,  and  he  should  be  sustained 
by  every  well-meaning  citizen.  We  all  of  us  have  our 
weaknesses,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  Mr.  Greeley 
has  that  particular  one  of  disseminating  doctrines  that 
are  at  variance  with  all  the  principles  of  Christianity, 
which  certainly  has  a  tendency  (among  his  weak- 
minded  admirers)  of  sapping  the  very  foundation  of 
our  moral  and  social  existence.  It  is  hoped  that  this 
sage  philanthropist  will  see  the  error  of  that  pernicious 
theory,  and  that  better  reason  will  come  to  his  aid,  for 
the  good  of  the  community  and  mankind  generally. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

THE  HOLOCAUST  OP  BEAUTY— PERSONAL  AFFINITY — INNOCENT 
FLIRTATIONS — Two  PBETTY  MAIDENS. 

There  are  things  going  on  under  the  shadows  of  the 
three  hundred  churches,  and  under  the  noses  of  the  six 
hundred  clergymen,  and  the  eighty  thousand  church 
communicants  of  New  York  city,  calling  themselves 
the  conservators  of  morality  here,  that  ought  to  be  suf- 
ficient to  draw  their  attention  for  a  short  time  from  the 
seclusion  of  their  studies  and  the  monotonous  routine 
of  their  daily  labors,  to  the  deadly  influences  which  are  at 
work  all  about  them.  Surely,  more  practical  good  can 
be  accomplished  in  stemming  the  tide  of  vice  and  im- 
morality in  its  first  small  beginning,  than  will  result 
from  the  most  luminous  generalities  of  learned  theo- 
logical disquisitions. 

They  may  say  that  they,  in  their  prosperity  and 
happiness,  being  neither  poor  nor  lowly,  like  the 
Christians  of  old ;  not  having  to  go  up  into  mountains 
to  preach,  nor  into  corn-fields  for  their  food  on  the 
Sabbath ;  knowing  neither  carpenters  nor  fishermen, 
and  having  very  comfortable  places  where  to  lay  their 
heads,  do  not  know  of  these  things. 

Do  not  know  how  women  are  insulted  on  our  lead- 
ing thoroughfares ;  how  well-dressed  rascals  mislead 
the  most  pure  and  beautiful ;  how  assignations  are 


196 

made  through  a  newspaper  sold  publicly  in  all  our 
news-offices  ;  and  how  the  advertisements  of  miserable 
Magdalens,  thieves,  procurers,  libertines,  and  abortion- 
ists, are  publicly  printed  and  laid  before  the  eyes  of  our 
wives  and  daughters. 

If  they  do  not  know  it,  they  ought  to  know  it,  and 
we  propose  to  set  some  facts  before  them  as  plainly  as 
decency  will  permit 

Will  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  partic- 
ularly take  notice. 

A  good-looking  lady  can  hardly  pass  down  Broad- 
way, or  ride  in  the  omnibuses  or  cars,  now-a-days,  with- 
out being  insulted.  Her  face  must  be  stern  and  her 
eyes  steadily  fixed  on  nothing,  or  she  will  find  some 
well-dressed  man  looking  at  her  with  a  fixed,  sugges- 
tive glance.  If  she  happens  to  glance  at  him  in  return, 
thinking  that  he  may  be  an  acquaintance  whom  she 
fails  to  recognize,  he  perhaps  smiles  sweetly,  or  if  she 
be  at  some  distance,  pulls  out  his  handkerchief,  and  ap- 
plying it  softly  to  his  lips,  follows  her. 

If  she  is  in  a  stage  or  car,  he  may  joggle  her  softly 
with  his  elbow,  or  press  her  toes  with  his.  The  last- 
mentioned  insult  has  become  so  prevalent  as  to  call 
forth  repeated  protests  in  the  press. 

It  is  an  old  story  related  of  a  country  girl,  that  when 
her  bashful  lover  poked  his  long  feet  under  the  table, 
to  give  her  illicit  notice  of  his  flame,  she  burst  out, 
finally  with  the  remark:  "If  you  love  me,  why  don't 
you  say  so ;  but  don't  dirty  my  stockings  ! ' 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  this  is  an  old  notion 
revived ;  the  motive  then,  however,  being  bashfulness ; 
now,  impudence. 

If  all  this  stopped  here,  if  none  but  vile  women  re- 
sponded to  such  importunities,  it  might  be  safely  let 


197 

pass.  But  the  idea  in  ever y  young  female  mind  is  that 
the  sole  end  of  her  life  is  to  draw  into  her  train  some 
handsome  man,  and  those  that  are  most  guileless  are 
often  most  pleased  with  what  they  call  an  innocent 
flirtation  in  our  streets.  A  lively  girl,  fresh  from  the 
country,  is  often  flattered  by  this  persistent  admiration 
from  a  stranger  whom  she  supposes  to  be  a  gentleman, 
because  he  has  the  outward  appearance  of  one.  The 
study  of  some  women's  lives  is  to  make  themselves  at- 
tractive and  conspicuous  to  a  perverted  taste,  and  no 
artificial  device  of  tilting  hoops  or  French  heels,  or 
ponderous  pannier,  or  exposure  of  the  neck,  or  fright- 
ful chignon,  or  painting  and  enameling  of  the  face,  or 
dyeing  of  the  hair,  is  so  monstrous  as  to  repel  them ; 
and  the  vanity  of  these  is  fed  and  intoxicated  by  the 
notice  they  attract  in  the  streets.  After  a  while  it  be- 
comes an  amusement  to  them  to  lure  men  on  in  some 
non-committal  way.  They  have  a  method  of  turning 
up  their  eyes,  of  casting  promiscuous  glances  here  and 
there,  of  turning  around  to  look  after  a  man  following 
them,  of  stopping  at  windows  so  as  to  give  him  an  op- 
portunity of  passing  and  turning  a  smiling  face  upon 
them. 

All  this  is  just  what  a  laughing,  joyous,  unsophisti- 
cated girl  might  also  do.  No  doubt,  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  innocent  flirtation.  But  the  step  is  so  short 
between  that  and  guilt  that  ilt  is  never  safe.  "We  re- 
member pleasant  gallantries  in  the  country,  which  were 
harmless,  because  if  the  girls  were  giddy  the  men  were 
honorable.  But  any  flirtation  on  Broadway  leads  di- 
rectly on  the  way  to  ruin,  and  any  woman  who  indulges 
in  one  there,  places  herself,  unwittingly,  it  may  be,  in 
the  category  of  shame. 

If  any  man  finds  that  his  daughter  loves  to  prome- 


198 

nade  Broadway  and  the  Fifth  avenue,  and  to  ride  in  the 
stages,  and  wants  a  disreputable  daily  paper  every 
morning  to  read  the  "  Personals,"  he  had  better  take  her 
for  a  trip  through  Water  street  some  night  and  show 
her  what  it  leads  to.  Perhaps  she  might  also  receive 
profit  from  a  sight  of  Harry  Hill's,  and  a  walk  from 
Broadway  through  Houston  street  to  Greene,  and  up 
and  down  that  street  at  11  o'clock  at  night.  If  that  is 
not  enough,  let  her  glance  in  at  the  Morgue,  when  one 
"found  drowned,"  "rashly  importunate  gone  to  her 
death,"  lies  there,  never  to  be  recognized,  because  all 
have  disowned  her. 

"When  the  top  of  the  first  column  of  the  first  page  of  a 
daily  paper  of  some  circulation  is  prostituted  to  the  pur- 
pose of  gamblers,  pickpockets,  polluted  women,  pand- 
erers,  and  rakes,  it  seems  time  that  notice  should  be 
taken  of  it. 

But  first  let  us  stop  abruptly  here  and  tell  a  little 
story,  which  may  have  no  denouement  at  all,  or  which 
may  remain  "  to  be  continued :  " 

One  night,  not  a  week  ago,  two  young  and  very 
pretty  girls,  perhaps  sixteen  or  eighteen  years  old,  were 
tripping  up  the  dollar-side  of  Broadway,  half  running 
and  half  walking  on  their  toes,  touching  the  French 
heels  of  their  glazed  shoes  only  now  and  then  to  the 
pavement,  leaning  on  each  other  and  talking  into  one  an- 
other's ears  in  that  animated  way  that  left  hardly  time 
for  them  to  open  their  pretty  lips  wide  enough  to  get  a 
breath  before  the  next  word,  and  looking  at  the  brilliant 
windows  and  the  passers-by  with  laughing  faces.  They 
were  so  bright-eyed  and  innocent,  and  withal  so  neatly 
dressed,  that  many  a  person  turned  to  look  at  them  as 
they  passed.  The  windows  were  gay  with  holiday 
goods  of  many  hues,  and  the  gaslight  was  reflected 


199 

from  mirrors  and  refracted  by  every  device  of  the 
glazier's  art.  They  stood  and  looked  in  at  one.  of  these 
splendidly-lighted  windows. 

The  taller  one  was  a  radiant  blonde,  golden  hair 
combed  back  from  her  flushed  face,  and  sweet  blue 
eyes  lighting  it ;  the  other  was  a  brunette,  round-faced 
and  piquant,  with  dark,  honest,  wondering  eyes,  and 
white  teeth.  They  had  evidently  been  well  reared; 
their  papas,  110  doubt,  paid  their  dress-makers'  bills 
without  shrinking ;  and  it  was  plain  that  they  were  as 
pure  of  any  sinful  thought  as  anything  possessing  a 
human  heart  can  be.  They  were  simply  giddy  and 
thoughtless ;  they  had  no  idea  of  any  other  purpose  of 
a  woman's  life  but  to  attract  admiration ;  they  had 
never  known  an  ungratified  want  of  any  necessary 
thing ;  and  they  were  quite  as  well  aware  as  any  who 
looked  at  them  that  they  were  remarkably  pretty. 

As  they  stood  there,  a  young  man,  of  ten  or  twelve  • 
years,  perhaps,  their  senior,  stepped  to  the  window  at 
the  upper  side,  and,  looking  down  on  them  with  a  be- 
witching glance,  smiled.  They  gave  him  a  kind  of 
scared  recognition  ;  but,  as  he  commenced  conversation 
with  them,  listened  to  him  with  a  demure  delight. 

He  was  a  very  handsome  young  man,  with  a  shiny, 
fashionable  beaver  hat,  a  full  mustache,  dyed  perfectly 
black  ;  a  faultless  necktie,  a  diamond  stud,  a  glove  on 
his  left  hand,  which  also  held  his  other  glove  ;  a  splen- 
did diamond  ring  on  one  of  the  fingers  of  his  right  hand. 
His  manner  was  fascinating,  and  every  motion  he  made 
seemed  a  compliment  without  words  to  the  young- 
ladies.  There  was  a  little  taint  of  coarseness  and  vul- 
gar flattery  in  it ;  there  was  something  a  little  hard  and 
sinister  in  the  twinkle  of  his  eye,  and  the  slightest 
touch  of  a  jeer  in  his  tone,  that  might  have  warned  a 


200 

sensible,  keen-witted  woman  against  him ;  but  these 
simple  girls  could  see  nothing  about  him  that  was  not 
''  perfectly  lovely." 

He  talked  softly  to  them  awhile,  and  they  then  broke 
away  from  him  and  went  up  the  street  again,  with  faces 
still  more  animated,  talking  so  loud  that  all  about  them 
could  listen  to  their  words.  They  had  no  suspicion  of 
harm. 

"  He  says,  May,"  said  the  blonde,  the  taller,  to  whom 
the  young  man  had  spoken  more  especially,  "  that  if 
we  will  come  down  he  will  get  us  two  tickets  for  Lin- 
gard's,  for  the  matinee." 

"  But  suppose — "  said  the  other,  making  some  sug- 
gestion we  did  not  catch. 

"  Oh,  he  can't  find  out  who  we  are,"  said  the  other  ; 
"  he  don't  know  anything  about  us." 

"  Will  you  go  ?  "  asked  the  little  brunette,  looking 
up  with  her  wondering  eyes. 

We  did  not  hear  the  answer. 

How  had  they  got  acquainted  with  this  man?  It 
could  not  have  been  in  any  proper  way. 

He  was  a  notorious  gambler,  a  man  who  had  been 
tried  for  State  prison  offenses,  a  man  whose  living  was 
to  swindle  and  rob,  whose  pleasure  was  to  ruin. 

At  the  present,  Ije  is  engaged  in  the  panel-house  busi- 
ness. A  young  girl,  who  was  once  very  beautiful, 
goes  out  in  the  streets  every  night  for  him  to  entice 
men  to  accompany  her  to  his  house.  She  is  his  wife 
for  the  time,  and  they  say  she  wears  diamonds,  though 
they  are  probably  paste;  but  if  she  does  not  succeed 
well,  and  bring  rich  game  to  be  plucked,  or  if  he  loses 
heavily  at  the  gaming  table,  he  gets  drunk  and  beats 
her.  How  heartless  he  is,  how  morally  loathsome,  how 
dead  to  every  generous  instinct,  how  totally  lacking  he 


201 

is  in  that  honor  which  a  false  proverb  ascribes  even  to 
thieves,  she,  poor  girl,  knows ! 

She  was  a  daughter  of  well-to-do  people,  and  had  tho 
dangerous  gift  of  beauty.  She  was  married  by  her 
parents,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  to  a  wealthy  merchant 
twice  her  age,  whom  she  did  not  love,  but  who  fed  her 
vanity  with  dresses  and  jewelry,  and  who  tried  to  satisfy 
her  with  her  lot,  by  indulging  all  her  capricious  tastes 
and  desires.  She  went  to  Saratoga  for  a  season,  and 
he,  engrossed  in  business,  could  only  go  to  her  one  day 
in  the  week.  Here  she  met  this  handsome  young  man, 
who  flirted  with  her,  danced  with  her,  took  her  driving- 
down  to  Moon's  Lake  House.  He  changed  his  gloves 
every  day,  he  was  delicate  and  courteous  in  his  atten- 
tions, he  was  gradual  in  his  advances,  he  fed  her  with 
every  gentle  flattery  and  compliment,  he  took  her  to 
recherche  suppers  ;  one  night  she  drank  champagne,  lost 
her  better  sense,  and  sinned.  She  would  have  died 
rather  than  have  lost  her  honor ;  but  he  knew  how  to 
deal  with  her  ;  from  the  'first  compliment,  from  the  first 
sip  of  champagne,  from  the  delirium  that  followed, 
from  the  first  caress,  from  the  close  opportunity  and 
means  of  guilt  already  prepared,  he  knew  every  step 
that  she  was  to  take,  and  had  led  other  women  than 
her  down  them,  until  he  was  proud  to  boast  that  there 
was  no  moral  barrier  that  any  woman  could  build 
around  her  that  he  could  not  topple  over  with  the  tip 
of  his  tongue,  and  smooth  down  with  the  velvet  touch 
of  his  hand. 

She  was  too  honest  a  soul  to  live  with  her  husband 
after  that ;  her  betrayer  still  professed  to  love  her  ;  she 
took  up  her  fortunes  with  him,  and  now  she  had  become 
so  low  as  to  sell  her  body  at  his  dictation  to  earn  him  a 
living.  Yet,  even  now,  when  he  is  "  flush,"  he  takes  her 
26 


202 

out,  dressed  finely,  for  she  has  not  yet  lost  her  beauty, 
and  honest  women  envy  her. 

He  will  throw  her  off  as  soon  as  she  ceases  to  make 
money  for  him,  or  as  soon  as  he  can  find  one  who  can 
make  more  for  him.  Then,  as  her  beauty  fades,  she 
will  go  down  more  or  less  rapidly  to  things  too  loath- 
some, wretched,  and  hideous,  to  describe. 

For  this  poor  girl,  whose  misery  was  solely  the  result 
of  her  lack  of  a  strong,  earnest  education,  her  lack  of 
firmness  against  besetting  influences,  her  lack  of  any 
aim  not  dictated  by  vanity  or  caprice,  society  holds  out 
no  helping  hand.  Her  marriage  was  called  a  good 
match,  her  parents  have  ceased  to  speak  her  name,  her 
former  husband  is  making  money  faster  then  ever,  and 
reported  to  be  a  little  gay,  and  this  gambler  and  panel- 
thief  stands  on  Broadway  and  fascinates  the  ladies  who 
pass. 

He  knows  just  how  to  treat  each  one.  How  delicate 
were  his  attentions  to  that  shy  little  blonde  and  bru- 
nette !  Later  at  night,  perhaps,  a  girl  may  pass  him 
who  is  often  seen  on  Broadway  alone,  after  the  gas  is 
lighted,  to  whom  he  says,  partronizingly  :  "  Well,  Molly, 
how  are  you  getting  along  ?  " 

"  I  ain't  had  a  mouthful  to  eat  since  morning,  and  I 
can't  make  nothing." 

He  smiles.  She  continues,  quickly,  before  he  can 
mock  her  with  any  words  : 

"  That's  how  I'm  getting  along,  curses  on  you." 

She  starts  on  again,  swiftly.  Molly  was  the  young  • 
est  and  prettiest  of  three  daughters  of  a  poor  working- 
man,  who  lived  on  a  floor  in  Eighth  avenue.  This 
gambler  liked  her  face  very  well.  She  went  with  him 
to  places  of  amusement,  fibbing  to  her  father  and 
mother  for  fear  they  would  forbid  her.  One  night,  he 


203 

took  her  in  a  coach  "  to  see  his  sister,"  as  he  said.  He 
got  her  drunk,  and  she  stayed  there  all  night  The 
landlady  refused  to  let  her  go  out  the  next  morn- 
ing. She  was  told  that  she  was  so  pretty  that  she  could 
make  any  amount  of  money,  wear  silks  and  satins,  go 
to  the  theatres,  and  ride  in  the  park ;  that  her  father 
would  disown  her,  and  her  character  was  gone,  anyhow. 
So  she  hesitated,  and  was  lost  Her  handsome  lover 
used  to  come  to  see  her  occasionally,  but  now  he  had 
"shook  "  her  altogether,  and  this  is  why  she  is  so  sharp 
with  him. 

Did  those  two  pretty  young  girls  go  to  Lingard's,  to 
the  matinee,  with  him  ?  Let  us  hope  there  were  home 
influences  enough  around  them  to  protect  them.  But 
just  such  as  they  have  fallen  a  prey  to  nicely-spoken 
men  and  women.  They  are  falling  all  around  us.  Cu- 
pidity and  lust  go  lurking  with  cat-like  claws  after 
youth  and  beauty.  There  seems  always  room  for  "  one 
more  unfortunate." 

It  is  spoken  of  as  the  "  old,  old  story." 

The  question  recurs,  how  did  they  become  acquainted 
with  him  ? 

Probably,  through  an  "innocent  flirtation."  or  a 
"Personal." 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

LIFE  IN  STREETS  AND  STAGES — MORE  PERSONALS— EMISSARIES 
OF  HADES— ASSIGNATION  ADVERTISEMENTS. 

The  manner  in  which  ladies  are  annoyed  in.  our 
streets,  and  in  our  public  conveyances,  has  become  so 
outrageous,  that  some  remedy  ought  to  be  applied.  As 
we  have  said,  they  are  followed,  stared  out  of  counten- 
ance, nudged,  spoken  to  by  strangers , and  signalled  with 
handkerchiefs. 

The  other  day,  a  handsomely-dressed  girl,  with  a 
rather  independent,  sprightly  face,  was  observed  by  the 
passengers  to  be  the  recipient  of  attentions  from  a  re- 
spectably- attired  man  opposite  her.  He  gazed  at  her 
in  a  manner  intended  to  be  pleasing,  and  then  suspi- 
cious movements  of  his  knees  became  apparent.  Sud- 
denly, the  lady  sprang  up,  with  a  face  white  with  anger, 
and  addressed  the  gentleman  sitting  next  to  her : 

"  Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  change  seats  with  me  ? 
That  man  doesn't  seem  to  have  room  enough  for  his 
feet,  and  keeps  treading  on  my  toes." 

The  attention  of  all  the  persons  in  the  stage  was  di- 
rected to  him.  Some  laughed,  and  a  stern  old  lady 
cried  out :  "  Shame !  shame ! " 

The  man  said  nothing,  and  for  a  minute  seemed  to 
have  the  intention  of  braving  public  opinion,  but  he 


205 

kept  growing  redder  and  redder  in  the  face,  and  before 
the  stage  had  gone  half  a  block  he  pulled  the  strap  and 
got  out. 

Another  method  of  flirtation  is  to  point  to  a  copy  of 
a  daily  newspaper  which  gives  up  its  most  prominent 
columns  to  the  advertisements  of  assignations  and 
houses  of  bad  repute. 

Flirtations  in  public  conveyances,  are  not  always  re- 
buked as  in  the  case  just  mentioned  as  the  following 
will  show : 

Fourth  avenue  car,  Monday,  11:30,  A.  M. — Lady  with  blue 
sacque,  shawl,  and  brown  round  hat.  Gentleman  who  was  read- 
ing the  newspaper,  and  who  gave  up  his  seat,  would  be  pleased  to 
form  acquaintance.  Address,  if  agreeable.  John  Brown,  through 
Personals,  or  at  Herald  office. 

The  young  lady's  acquaintance  was  easily  formed 
— on  the  next  day  the  following  reply  appeared  : 

Tuesday  Personals — blue  sacque,  shawl,  and  brown  hat.  117 
East  Twelfth  street. 

BELLA  FIELDING. 

Not  merely  Mr.  John  Brown,  but  also  all  who  read 
the  newspaper,  were  thus  informed  where  they  might 
find  Bella  Fielding.  It  is  evident  that  Mr.  Brown  need 
not  have  been  to  the  expense  of  his  advertisement 
He  was  too  modest,  as  in  the  former  case  the  man  was 
too  forward. 

Two  or  three  weeks  ago,  just  as  the  lamps  were 
lighting,  two  young  girls  were  walking  along  Four- 
teenth street  from  Fourth  avenue  over  toward  Fifth, 
and  a  gray-headed  old  man  with  a  cane  was  noticed 
walking  close  behind  them.  By-and-by,  he  got  a  lit- 
tle ahead  and  looked  around  in  their  faces.  Th-en  they 


206 

got  ahead  of  him  again,  but  he  kept  beside  them,  and 
began  a  significant  series  of  "  hems  "  and  "  haws  "  to  at- 
tract their  attention.  He  followed  them  past  Broadway 
in  this  way,  keeping  close  beside  them,  and  at  University 
place,  as  they  stopped  to  let  a  car  go  past,  he  again 
stood  a  little  in  front  of  them  and  tried  to  draw  his  old 
face  into  a  lascivious  grin.  The  car  passed,  and  one  of 
the  young  ladies  turned  with  a  bright,  spiteful  face  to 
him  and  said : 

"  (TO  away,  you  old  wretch,  with  your  '  hums '  and 
your  '  haws  ! '  I  should  think  you'd  better  be  thinking 
of  the  grave  than  annoying  women! " 

The  old  fellow  turned  off  immediately  up  Union 
square. 

The  great  amusement  of  corner-loafers  is  to  leer  at 
women.  The  well-dressed  men  who  stand  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Houston  street  and  Broadway  are  generally 
gamblers.  They  are  known  by  their  large  diamonds, 
their  shiny  high  hats,  and  their  brazen  manner  of  star- 
ing at  the  women  who  pass.  They  smile  a  good  deal, 
illustrating  the  fact  that 

"  A  man  may  smile  and  smile  and  be  a  villain." 

If  a  pretty  girl  happens  to  glance  at  them,  they  lift 
their  eyebrows  and  open  their  eyes  quite  wide,  with 
sometimes  a  laugh  or  a  gentle  wink.  If  a  girl  passes 
quite  close  to  them,  they  will  sometimes  say : 

"  Hello,  babie  !  "  or  "  how  are  you,  pretty  !  "  or  "  day- 
day,  sissy !  " 

If  some  unsophisticated  girl  should  turn  and  smile, 
they  would  carry  the  insult  further,  and,  pointing  to 
Florence's  saloon,  say : 

"  Won't  you  go  in  and  get  something  to  eat  ?  " 
Sometimes  they  will  follow  a  girl  and  annoy  her  by  go- 


207 

ing  in  front  or  behind  her,  and  casting  glances  at  her; 
and  many  girls,  as  we  have  shown,  are  flattered  by  this. 
Two  of  them  will  get  very  close  behind  a  lady,  or  a 
couple  of  ladies,  and  talk  very  loud  to  each  other  some- 
thing which  they  desire  to  be  heard. 

The  corners  of  Grand  street  and  Bleecker  street  are 
said  to  be  more  infested  by  pickpockets  and  thieves, 
who  are  generally  of  the  same  class  as  the  others,  but 
in  less  prosperous  circumstances.  But  the  best  of  them 
are  only  whited  sepulchres,  soaked  with  whisky 
"  straight,"  riddled  by  diseases,  hardened  by  crimes, 
knowing  nothing  of  womenkind  except  in  its  desecrated 
aspect  as  an  article  of  traffic,  puffed  up  by  indulgence 
until  the  title  of  "  big  bloats "  become  appropriate, 
searching  out  methods  of  robbery,  and  each  one  a  com- 
ponent part  of  Milton's  Great  Adversary,  seeking  to 
make  evil  alone  his  good  and  his  pleasure,  and 

"  To  hell 

Draw  after  him  the  whole  race  of  mankind 
By  him  corrupted." 

There  is  not  space  here  to  tell  their  deeper  villainies. 

A  favorite  method  of  misleading  a  girl  is,  as  we  have 
said,  to  point  to  a  copy  of  a  city  paper,  or  to  hold  it  in 
the  hand.  The  next  day,  something  like  the  following 
will  appear  • 

Third  avenue  car,  down  town  yesterday  morning ;  young 
lady  in  black,  -who  noticed  gent  opposite,  who  endeavored  to 
draw  her  attention  to  Personal  column  of  Herald  in  his  hand, 
will  oblige  admirer  by  sending  address  to  B.,  box  102,  Herald 
office. 

If  she  is  a  vile  woman,  undoubtedly  she  will  do  so, 
and  that  establishment  will  deliver  her  letter  and  do 
its  part  in  helping  on  the  assignation. 


208 
i 

A  gentleman  will  bow  to  a  lady,  and  she,  thinking  it 
may  be  a  friend,  returns  the  bow.  The  next  day,  ap- 
pears the  following : 

Tall  lady,  dressed  in  black,  who  acknowledged  gentleman's 
salute,  Broadway  and  Tenth  street,  please  address  D.,  box  119, 
Herald  office,  if  she  wishes  to  form  his  acquaintance. 

Sometimes  a  man  will  whisper  the  word  :  "Personal  " 
to  the  lady  whom  he  dares  not  insult  further,  and 
the  next  day,  the  following  appears  : 

Tuesday,  December  7, 4  p.  M. — "  Can  you  answer  a  Personal  ? " 
Fifth  avenue  stage,  from  Grand  to  Twenty-third  street.  Please 
address  Ben.  Van  Dyke,  Herald  office,  appointing  interview. 
To  prevent  mistake,  mention  some  particulars. 

Others  more  modest: 

"Will  the  lady  that  was  left  waiting  by  her  companion  on 
Monday  evening,  near  the  door  of  an  up-town  theatre,  grant  an 
interview  to  the  gentleman  that  would  have  spoken  if  he  had 
thought  the  place  appropriate  ?  Address  Romano,  Herald  office. 

If  it  was  not  appropriate  to  speak  to  her,  how,  pray, 
might  it  be  appropriate  for  her  to  grant  an  interview, 
and  what,  pray,  is  the  purpose  of  that  i  nterview  ? 

It  is  realty  dangerous  to  notice  a  patron  of  the  pa- 
per mentioned,  for  he  immediately  considers  it  ground 
for  a  "Personal." 

Lady  in  Grand  street  car,  Saturday  evening,  7:30 — had  on 
plaid  shawl,  black  silk  dress;  noticed  gentleman  in  front ;  both 
got  out  at  Bowery  ;  will  oblige  by  sending  her  address  to  C.  L., 
box  199  Herald  office. 

Young  ladies  with  attendants,  are  not  more  free  from 
this  public  insult,  as  shown  in  the  following : 


209 

Will  the  young  lady  that  got  out  of  a  Fifth  avenue  stage, 
with  a  gentleman  with  a  cap  on,  at  10,  yesterday,  at  Forty-sixth 
street,  address  E.  Roberts,  New  York  Post-office. 

This  public  notice  must  be  pleasing  to  the  young 
lady,  and  to  "the  gentleman  with  a  cap  on."  It  is  a 
notice  that  the  gentleman  believes  the  lady  to  be  will- 
ing to  have  an  intrigue  with  him.  If  it  goes  as  far  as 
that,  the  newspaper  will  lend  its  columns  to  the  assig- 
nation, as  follows : 

LOUISE  K. — Dear,  I  have  received  your  letter,  last  Saturday, 
but  not  in  time  to  meet  you.  Next  Tuesday,  Dec.  7, 1  will  meet 
you  at  the  same  time  and  place.  Fast.  Write  to  me  again,  and 
give  your  address.  Your  old  acquaintance. 

Or  as  follows : 

L.  Hattie  B.,  Friday,  at  2:30,  p.  M. 
Or  in  this  flattering  manner : 

Bright  Moonbeam — will  you  leave  home  to-day  at  3  or  4 
o'clock,  and  walk  down  Broadway  ?  Indicate  the  hour  by  those 
pretty  fingers.  I  point  to  this. 

Perhaps  the  lady  is  a  little  sly  about  it,  and  has  a 
jealous  husband  watching  her  ;  so  she  advertises  : 

TAKTAL.US — I  can  not  come  so  far  unobserved.  You  can  write 
me  in  perfect  confidence.  Direct  as  you  did  the  last  letter. 

This  newspaper  also  lends  itself  to  the  recovery  of 
former  lady  acquaintances.  Thus  : 

A  gentleman  friend  would  like  to  learn  the  address  of  Miss 
Josie  Anson,  formerly  of  West  Twenty-fifth  street ;  she  went  to 
New  Orleans  summer  before  last. 
27 


210 
Another  gentleman  wants  the  address  of  /»>  Josie : 

JOSIE  SINGLETON — When  did  you  return  from  New  Orleans  ? 
I  saw  you  with  Kate  Davis,  to-day.     Send  address. 

Where  are  you,  Kitty  Underbill  ?    It  you  are  not  gone,  are  you 
at  "  Sanchy's,"  still. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

ADVERTISEMENTS  BY  STREET  AND  NUMBER  OF  HOUSES  OF  ILL- 
REPUTE — THE  SEQUEL — RELIEF  FOR  LADIES  IN  TROUBLE 
— GAMBLERS,  &c. — THE  LIMBO  OF  LIBERTINES. 

All  this  is  bad  enough,  but  are  the  six  hundred 
preachers,  and  the  eighty  thousand  church  communi- 
cants of  this  city,  aware  that  houses  of  ill-repute  are 
regularly  advertised  by  number  and  street  in  the  news- 
papers ?  If  they  are  aware  of  it — if  the  community 
is  aware  of  it  and  permits  it — then  the  cards  of 
courtesans  and  the  advertisements  of  houses  of  ill- 
repute  might  as  well  be  put  up  in  the  panels  of  the 
street  cars.  If  the  public  permits  a  newspaper  to  do  it 
for  the  consideration  of  a  few  dollars,  why  make  the 
pretense  that  there  is  anything  wrong  in  the  thing  itself? 
If  the  advertisements  are  legitimate,  then  the  business 
must  be.  All  the  advertisements  in  this  chapter  are 
bona  fide. 

Miss  Gertie  Davis,  formerly  of  Lexington  avenue,  will  be 
pleased  to  see  her  friends  at  106  Clinton  Place. 


ERASTUS — Call   on  Jennie   Howard,  at   123  West   Twenty- 
seventh  street ;  I  have  left  Heath's,  132. 

ALBANY. 


212 
Here  is  another  for  the  same  number : 

A. — If  the  handsome  Spaniard  is  in  the  city,  will  he  please  call 
on  his  friend  Anita  Manzoe,  at  123  West  Twenty-seventh  street  ? 

Which  handsome  Spaniard  does  she  mean  ? 
LEGS — Call  at  123  Crosby  street. 

COLTON. 


The  carman  who  moved  the  trunks  from  79  Marion  street,  will 
please  deliver  them  to  Miss  Laura  Field,  143  West  Twenty-sixth 
street. 


JOE  —Address  your  letters  to  114  West  Twenty-sixth  street. 

EMMA  WILSON. 

Here  is  a  young  lady  from  the  same  number,  who, 
though  evidently  in  the  habit  of  reading  the  "  Personals  " 
diligently,  did  not  happen  to  see  them  one  morning : 

LEE — Did  not  see  your  Personal  in  time.  Address,  114  West 
Twenty-sixth  street. 

HATTIE  L. 


EMMA — Fifth  avenue,  remember  your  promise.      I  am  at  129 
West  Twenty-sixth  street. 

Miss  NELLIE  BLANCHARD. 


FKEDDT  T.  L. — Don't  forget  my  Christmas  present.      I  am 
waiting  for  it. 

ALICE  CCSHMAN,  161  West  Houston  street. 


FREDDIE — I  have  removed  from  79  Marion  street.      Call  at 
129  West  Twenty-sixth  street. 

JULIA  ELLIS. 


213 

Both  Miss  Laura  Field  and  Miss  Julia  Ellis  seem  to 
have  lived  formerly  at  79  Marion  street  Quite  a  coin- 
cidence 

A. — Miss  Lizzie  Olever,  of  Clay  street,  San  Francisco.  If  still 
in  the  city,  please  send  your  address  to  Lou.  Tremaine,  of 
Chicago,  to  132  West  Twenty-seventh  street 


HILL — No  one  to  love,  none  to  caress.     Address  a  letter  to 
Millie,  823  Broadway. 


Peachers,  please  return  my  rings  to  132  East  Eighth  street. 

EFPIE  G. 


WILL — A  letter  will  reach  me,  addressed  to  Millie  A.,  823 
Broadway. 

Thus  deep  ditches  are  digged  for  young  men,  cor- 
ruption and  pestilence  are  sent  into  our  houses,  and 
there  is  none  to  utter  a  word. 

In  the  same  "  Personal "  column  may  be  found  the 
sequel  to  some  of  these  things : 

ADOPTION — A  very  pretty,  intelligent  little  girl  (orphan),  2| 
years,  to  adopt;  full  surrender.  Also,  one  two  weeks  old.  For 
particulars,  call  at  the  residence  of  Dr.  Grindle,  No.  120  West 
Twenty-sixth  street,  near  Sixth  avenue. 


A  beautiful  female  infant,  four  weeks  old,  American  parent- 
age, for  adoption.  Call  on  Dr.  Grindle,  No.  120  West  Twenty- 
sixth  street.  See  medical  card  in  this  paper. 

There  are  five  more  children  for  adoption,  advertised 
in  the  same  issue.  In  the  medical  column,  Dr.  Grin- 


214 

die  advertises  again,  and  a  dozen  more  advertise  relief, 
nursing,  cures  for  diseases,  and  also  to  the  effect, 
"ladies  in  trouble  guaranteed  immediate  relief."  The 
relief  some  of  them  get,  is  death ;  but  who  cares  ?  The 
poor,  betrayed  creature,  goes  down  into  her  secret  grave 
and  there  is  no  retribution.  Whose  fault  was  it? 
"Take  her  up  tenderly."  "Lay  her  where  the  violets 
blow." 

"  Her  hands  are  cold  ;  her  face  is  white  ; 

No  more  her  pulses  come  and  go  ; 
Her  eyes  are  shut  to  life  and  light ; 
Fold  the  white  vesture,  snow  on  snow, 
But  lay  her  where  the  violets  blow. 

"  If  any  born  of  kindlier  blood 

Should  ask  :  What  maiden  sleeps  below  { 
Say  only  this':  A  tender  bud, 
That  tried  to  blossom  in  the  snow, 
Lies  withered  where  the  violets  blow." 

But  whose  is  the  sin  ? 

Incidentally,  gamblers,  thieves,  pickpockets,  burglars, 
&c.,  advertise  in  this  column.  What  do  the  following 
mean  ? 

Badens  badens — come  to  Jaten's,  1125  Wistar  street,  Phila- 
delphia. Call  for  Kimble. 

That  looks  like  gambling. 

BULLY — No  letter  received.  Address  54  East  Twelfth  street, 
box  10,  or  pass  Metropolitan  at  12  Wednesday. 

DITTO. 

No  newspaper  with  any  character  would  lose  it  for 
the  few  paltry  coppers  which  these  filthy,  scandalous, 
detestable  notices  bring  into  the  coffers  of  the  sheet 
which  prints  them.  Every  one  of  them,  as  it  is  paid 


215 

in,  is  dipped  in  the  blood  of  the  innocents.  It  is  onlv 
absolute  total  depravity,  and  "  pure  cussedness,"  and 
there  would  seem  to  be  nothing  equivalent  to  its 
punishment  except  the  old  original  unabridged  fore- 
ordained and  orthodox  hell,  the  smoke  of  the  torment 
from  which  ascends  up  forever  and  ever.  But  evidently, 
preaching  about  hell  is  not  sufficient  to  stop  it. 

Eev.  Dr.  Chapin,  the  eloquent  Universalist  preacher, 
said,  in  his  sermon  on  seducers,  that  if  there  was  any- 
thing that  would  make  him  desire  to  believe  in  a  place 
of  eternal  torture,  it  was  the  existence  of  such  men  un- 
punished in  society.  If  there  was  any  cold,  bleak 
place,  just  outside  of  the  gate  of  heaven,  where  a  soul 
might  stand  shivering,  looking  in  at  the  glory  on  the 
other  side,  he  believed  these  men  would  be  put  there. 

Whether  this  would  be  better  than  the  hot  place 
usually  foretold,  a  casual  writer  can  not  say.  But  per- 
haps oblivion  would  be  as  sensible  as  anything  for  a 
heartless  libertine,  for  if  he  were  to  be  perpetuated  even 
in  Pandemonium,  he  would  be  a  plague-spot  and  nui- 
sance there. 

The  last  Legislature  passed  a  most  stringent  law 
against  obscene  advertisements,  and  advertisements  for 
abortion,  such  as  appear  by  the  dozen,  with  little  or  no 
concealment,,  in  the  medical  columns  of  the  papers. 
Not  the  slightest  attention  has  ever  been  paid  to  that 
law,  and  no  grand  jury  ever  thinks  of  indicting  anybody 
under  it. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

FUN,  LOVE,  AND  POSSIBLE  MATRIMONY — A  BEAUTIFVL  BUST 
GUARANTEED  FOR  TEN  CENTS — A  RETROSPECT. 

The  weekly  paper  to  which  the  schoolmistresses  and 
postmasters'  clerks  of  Massachusetts  send  their  first 
poetical  effusions,  has  become  a  panderer  to  desires  of 
libertines  and  scoundrels,  and  to  the  vanity,  frivolity, 
or  worse,  of  the  girls  who  read  it.  The  object  of  the 
correspondence  or  acquaintance  solicited  is  generally 
stated  to  be  "  fun."  The  following  is  addressed  to  New 
York  girls : 

A  young  man  in  New  York,  almost  an  entire  stranger  in  the 
city,  would  like  to  form  the  acquaintance  of  some  agreeable 
young  lady,  who  would  be  willing  to  accompany  him  to  places 
of  amusement.  All  communications  confidential,  and  returned 
if  desired. 

Address 

C.  L.  BROWNSON, 

New  York  city. 

Now,  he  need  not  have  sent  this  advertisement  way  to 
Boston  to  find  ladies  willing  to  go  with  him  to  places  of 
amusement  or  any  other  place.  He  needed  only  to 
pay  for  a  "Personal."  What  kind  of  a  young  lady 
does  he  think  it  probable  will  be  willing  to  accompany 
a  total  stranger  out  until  10  or  11  o'clock  at  night  ? 


217 

The  first  thing  he  knows,  he  will  get  into  a  panel-house 
and  find  himself  without  any  money  to  get  home  with. 
As  he  is  an  entire  stranger  in  the  city,  that  would  be 
bad  for  him. 

Here  is  another. 

Three  young  men  would  like  to  open  a  correspondence  with 
an  unlimited  number  of  young  ladies.  Object,  fan,  love,  and 
possible  matrimony.  Address  A.  I.  O'Brien,  W.  P.  Carey,  or 
A.  H.  Cunningham,  Antelope  Station,  U.  P.  R.  R.,  Neb. 

These  young  men  are  more  harmless,  being  further 
away. 

Photographs  are  always  urgently  desired,  and  this  is 
carried  so  far,  that  a  regular  agency  has  been  established 
for  the  exchange  of  correspondents  and  photographs, 
which  advertises  as  follows : 

A  permanent  institution — ladies,  send  us  your  photographs, 
and  we  will  furnish  you  with  correspon  dents  free.  Gentlemen 
remitting  50  cents  will  receive  photographs,  and  be  placed  in 
correspondence  with  three  ladies  answering  any  description  sent ; 
photographs  and  seven  ladies,  $1 ;  photographs  and  fifteen,  $2. 
Ours  is  the  original  and  only  fair-dealing  firm.  Try  us ;  you 
will  be  more  than  satisfied.  Metropolitan  Correspondents' 
Agency,  box  — ,  Washington,  D.  C. 

To  the  lady  sending  us  the  handsomest  photograph,  we  will 
present  a  gold  watch  worth  $150.  To  the  lady  writing  the 
neatest  letter,  $75  in  gold.  To  be  awarded  January  1,  1870. 

Naturally,  in  the  same  paper  is  found  the  following 
advertisement : 

Divorces  legally  obtained  in  all  the  different  States,  for  deser- 
tion, drunkenness,  &c.,  suificient  cause.  No  publicity.  No  fee 
until  divorce  is  obtained.  Advice  free.  Address  M.  House,  at- 
torney, &c. 

28 


218 

The  following  advertisement  promises  a  good  deal 
for  a  dime : 

Important  information — To  either  sex,  married  or  contemplat- 
ing marriage ;  also  the  straightest  hair  curled ;  whiskers  forced 
to  grow;  pimples,  freckles,  &c.,  forever  removed  ;  and  a  beau- 
tiful bust  guaranteed  for  ten  cents  and  stamp. 

We  also  find  in  the  same  paper  advertisements  of 
clairvoyants,  who  will  send  pictures  of  future  husbands ; 
essays  on  social  evils ;  circulars  for  ladies  only ;  rich 
photographs  from  life ;  new  articles  for  gents ;  a  book  on 
women  and  wine  ;  a  book  on  women  of  New  York,  or 
the  underground  world ;  lotteries ;  love  secrets ;  all  free 
for  a  stamp.  And  the  following : 

The  "  Brooklyn  Personal  Agency,"  established  for  the  accom- 
modation of  ladies  and  gentlemen  wishing  correspondents  of 
their  opposite  sex,  has  removed  to  "  box — ,"  Hartford,  Conn. 
Send  three  cent  stamp  for  circular. 

The  daughters  of  pious  New  England  farmers  must 
need  a  good  deal  of  spending-money  to  answer  all  these 
advertisements.  The  paper  we  refer  to  is  taken  in  the 
families  of  ministers  and  church  members  all  over  the 
land. 

Is  there  no  way  to  save  society  from  these  glaring 
curses? — no  way  to  teach  women  the  difference  be- 
tween villainy  and  good  faith ;  between  false  and  true 
love,  between  honest  worth  and  good  clothes ;  between 
the  man  who  looks  into  their  eyes  with  honest,  true 
eyes  of  his  own,  and  the  one  who  smiles  and  flatters? 
Is  there  no  rescue  for  that  radiant-faced  little  blonde, 
and  that  bright-eyed  brunette,  with  her  round,  wonder- 
ing face  ?  It  seems  that  if  one  of  these  were  to  fall,  that 
scene,  at  the  moment,  might  well  recur  when 


219 

"  Earth  trembled  from  her  entrails,  as  again 
In  pangs,  and  Nature  gave  a  second  groan  ; 
Sky  lowered,  and,  muttering  thunder,  some  sad  drops 
"Wept  at  completing  of  the  mortal  sin 
Original." 

How  sweet  a  face  and  form,  either  of  these,  for  some 
honest,  strong,  manly  young  soul  to  love,  to  cherish,  to 
hold  in  his  heart  of  hearts,  to  carry  to  a  pleasant  home, 
where  he  might  build  an  altar  to  all  that  is  kindest  and 
noblest  in  humanity!  On  such  a  marriage  nature 
might  assume  a  different  mood,  and  smile  as  when 
Adam  wooed  Eve : 

"  To  the  nuptial  bower 

I  led  her  blushing  like  the  morn ;  all  Heaven, 
And  happy  constellations,  on  that  hour 
Shed  their  selected  influence ;  the  earth 
Gave  sign  of  gratulation,  and  each  hill ; 
Joyous  the  birds ;  fresh  gales  and  gentle  airs 
Whispered  it  to  the  woods,  and  from  their  wings 
Flung  rose,  flung  odors  from  the  spicy  shrub, 
Disporting  till  the  amorous  bird  of  night 
Sung  spousal,  and  bid  haste  the  evening  star 
On  his  hill  top,  to  light  the  bridal  lamp." 


CHAPTER   XLII. 

THE  SOCIAL  EVIL  OF  TO-DAY — INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 

The  statistics  of  crime,  furnished  by  our  local  authori- 
ties, afford  a  painful  illustration  of  the  extent  of  this 
evil,  which  is  gradually  gaining  ground  every  day  in 
our  city.  All  large  cities  are  more  or  less  afflicted  with 
it,  and  the  difficulties  that  present  themselves  in  the 
way  of  legislative  enactment,  to  check  its  progress,  is  a 
source  of  much  anxiety  and  difficulty  to  those  in  whose 
wisdom  we  look  for  a  wholesome  administration  of  our 
laws. 

The  Governor  of  New  York,  with  a  view  of  correct- 
ing its  abuses,  and  to  aid  our  legislators  in  framing  a 
law  for  its  suppression,  called  upon  Superintendent 
Kennedy  of  the  police  department  to  furnish  a  report 
from  each  police  precinct  in  the  city,  of  the  extent  to 
which  this  crime  is  carried  on.  In  anticipation  of  that 
report,  that  enterprising  master  of  journalism,  James 
Grordon  Bennett,  forthwith  dispatched  one  of  the 
shrewdest  reporters  of  the  Herald  to  glean,  if  possible, 
all  the  facts  beforehand.  It  will  probably  occur  to  the 
mind  of  the  reader  that  Mr.  Bennett  might  very  ap- 
propriately render  the  cause  of  morality  a  good 
service,  and  stay  the  growing  evil,  by  a  discontinuance 
of  the  assignation  column  of  that  journal,  and  place 
in  its  stead  a  directory  where  the  fallen  might  apply 


221 

for  succor  and  comfort,  instead  of  a  living  advertise- 
ment to  entrap  the  innocent  victim  from  the  path  of 
rectitude  to  that  of  shame. 

Since  the  city  first  began  to  crystallize  in  the  present 
dense  population,  New  York  has  been  afflicted  with 
this  dreadful  scourge  to  a  degree  not  exceeded  in  any 
other  city  in  America.  To  such  an  extent  has  the  evil 
grown,  that  the  present  proportions  are  spreading  an 
alarm  through  all  classes  of  the  community,  whence 
comes  the  cry,  "  can  we  not  stay  it  ?  "  A  close  and  in- 
telligent examination  of  the  facts  placed  before  the 
reader,  will,  it  is  hoped,  enable  him  to  decide  for  him- 
self upon  this  point  Surely,  it  is  now  time  for  most 
powerful  agents  to  be  at  work ;  it  is  now  time  to  con- 
centrate all  active  energies  to  extinguish  a  vice  which 
is  doing  more  to  desecrate  peaceful  homes,  to  disor- 
ganize society,  to  multiply  disease,  and  to  indoctrin- 
ate with  subtle  poisons  the  high  and  the  low,  the 
rich  and  the  poor,  than  any  other  species  of  dissipation. 

It  is  the  parent  of  evil.  It  is  not  only  a  social  evil, 
it  is  a  sanitary  evil,  a  financial  evil,  and  is  even  becom- 
ing a  political  evil.  Let  any  one  reflect  upon  its  enor- 
mity— that  it  comprehends  every  excess  and  panders 
to  every  appetite.  Let  him  reflect  that,  like  every  vice, 
it  is  boundless.  Unless  restrained,  unless  hemmed  in  and 
narrowed  down  to  prescribed  limits,  who  can  tell  where 
the  foul  water  will  not  flow  ?  Who  is  prepared  to  say 
that  an  iniquity  comprehending  all  others,  the  most 
powerful  on  earth,  attacking  the  greatest  weakness  of 
men,  will  not,  if  neglected,  plunge  society  into  a  de- 
bauchery that  was  respectable  when  Rome  was  glori- 
ous, and  refined  when  Greece  was  in  the  day  of  her 
proud  philosophy?  A  retrospection  must  convince 
any  one  that  the  social  evil  is  a  child  of  rapid  growth. 


222 

It  is  nurtured  by  low  passions,  supported  by  plethoric 
purses,  having  among  its  patrons  politicians,  lawyers, 
doctors,  judges,  and  even  ministers,  whose  combined 
influence  supports  and  keeps  the  institution  alive,  for 
they  have  made  it  an  institution. 

At  first,  as  far  as  there  are  authentic  records,  the  evil 
was  rife  among  the  low  and  base-born  of  men.  It 
flourished  there.  No  laws,  no  pronunciamentos  of  the 
church,  no  eloquent  pleading  of  Christianity,  no  wis- 
dom from  the  moralist,  could  in  turn  check  it.  The  in- 
stitution matured.  As  was  its  mission,  its  devotees 
swelled  in  number,  its  victims  became  more  fierce  in 
their  efforts  to  obtain  a  higher  hold  upon  the  superior 
classes,  until  the  day  of  its  triumph  drew  nigh.  Thrones 
groveled  in  the  dust  of  prostitution,  monarchs  became 
customers  of  the  vice,  intrigue  was  the  rule  at  courts, 
and  virtue  was  regarded  as  a  vulgar  error.  All  the 
niceties  of  lewdness  took  their  place  in  dress,  and  mod- 
esty became  a  common  vagrant.  Such  is  the  history 
of  the  social  evil  from  the  hour  when  the  Jews  first  de- 
filed the  purity  of  the  race,  and  each  succeeding  century 
has  shown  that  its  foothold  is  becoming  firmer  and 
firmer.  As  public  morals  existed  in  the  nations  of 
antiquity,  a  steady  decline  can  be  noted  from  the  day 
when  this  evil  became  an  established  fact  Take 
Athens.  When  this  flourishing  State  of  the  remote 
ages  permitted  the  vile  creatures  to  solicit  men  in  the 
public  places,  and  placed  the  seal  of  official  approval 
upon  the  most  aggravating  form  of  debauchery,  it  was 
then  that  Athens  began  to  be  overhung  by  the  dark 
clouds  of  her  future  uselessness.  The  same  is  true  of 
Rome.  Public  orgies  were  admitted,  nay,  in  some 
cases  compelled  by  law,  and  the  higher  classes  became 


223 

tainted,  and  speedily  gave  themselves  to  unrestrained 
licentiousness. 

At  this  time,  the  traveler  can  see  the  remains  of  the 
frightful  excesses  to  which  the  Roman  people  carried 
their  vices.  At  Pompeii,  there  have  been  excavated 
the  houses  wherein  the  syrens  carried  on  their  base 
business,  exhibiting  statuary  in  the  most  indecent  pos- 
tures. Figures  carved  in  stone,  and  indicating,  by  the 
most  revolting  emblems,  the  nature  of  the  house,  are  to 
this  day  visible  among  the  ruins  of  the  buried  city. 
The  scenes,  in  painting  and  relief  alone,  attest  to  what 
depravity  men  can  sink. 

In  glancing  at  the  evil  in  the  countries  existing  at  a 
later  day,  the  same  truths  are  apparent.  Everywhere 
that  ignorance,  prejudice,  and  superstition,  had  sway, 
there  could  be  found  a  looseness  among  the  female 
population.  In  Spain,  also,  during  the  days  of 
Phillip  the  Second  ;  among  the  filthy  brothels  of 
the  Italian  States;  in  France,  during  the  barbarities 
of  the  middle  ages ;  in  Portugal,  where  women  have 
been  universally  depraved ;  in  Belgium,  Prussia,  Rus- 
sia, Denmark,  Switzerland,  Sweden  and  Norway,  Great 
Britain,  Mexico,  Central  and  South  America,  Java,  Su- 
matra, Borneo,  and  among  the  semi-civilized  nations, 
the  evil  has  existed  like  a  spreading  contagion.  In  the 
more  enlightened  and  progressive  of  the  countries 
named,  it  has  appeared  in  the  lesser  degrees.  Hence 
the  synonym  of  the  social  evil  is  ignorance.  But  from 
the  time  of  the  Jewish  harlots  to  this  hour  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  there  has  been  no  modification  of  the 
vice,  save  that  it  has,  perhaps,  intensified  and  gathered 
most  of  its  disgusting  features  from  the  fatal  radicalism 
of  modern  times.  Through  all  the  6,000  years,  it  is 
proper  here  to  remark,  there  has  been  no  invention  of 


224 

man  capable  of  totally  blotting  out  prostitution.  But 
attempts  to  legitimatize  and  place  it  under  police  con- 
trol, have  been  successful  in  nearly  every  European 
city.  The  question  is,  can  New  York  profit  by  trans- 
atlantic experience? 


CHAPTER  XLII1. 

THE  EVIL  IN   NEW  YORK — STATISTICS   AND  FACTS  FOR  THE 
LEGISLATURE. 

In  this  city,  the  vice  must  be  encountered.  To  un- 
derstand it,  one  has  to  perform  the  unpleasant  duty  of 
making  facts  of  facts.  Yet,  after  all,  there  are  few  sta-< 
tistics  that  can  be  considered  reliable.  This  is  to  be 
deplored.  No  public  institution  has  ever  succeeded  in 
ascertaining  anything  like  accurate  figures,  and  those 
we  give  rest  greatly  on  speculation,  and  the  experience 
of  men  who  have  devoted  lives  to  the  investigation  of 
the  subject  They  are  believed  to  be  fair,  and  are  not 
presented  for  the  purpose  of  sensation,  nor  in  the  inter- 
est of  a  false  purity.  The  sources  of  information  are 
personal  observations,  statistics  of  the  Boards  of  Police 
and  Health,  and  the  comprehensive  examinations  of 
W.  W.  Sanger,  M.  D.  But,  unlike  any  of  these  author- 
ities, we  place  the  number  of  all  females  who  indulge 
their  appetites  promiscuously  for  lust  or  money  at  10,- 
000.  Sanitary  inspectors,  who  see  more  of  domestic 
life  than  any  other  persons  in  the  city,  pronounce  that 
there  are  at  least  50,000  women  who  make  assignations 
with  men  toward  whom  they  bear  a  carnal  affection. 
They  assert  that  on  the  east  side  of  the  town,  in  the 
lower  wards  of  the  city,  the  condition  of  prevailing 
morals  is  frightful.  Degradation  is  almost  universal. 
29 


226 

Among  the  upper  classes,  of  course,  there  are  no  tangi- 
ble evidences  of  infidelity ;  where  there  are  education 
and  refinement,  there  are  wits  to  work,  and  concealment 
is  almost  absolutely  certain.  The  occasional  escapades 
that  have  occurred  in  social  life,  such  as  the  Richard- 
son case,  have  had  a  good  effect  upon  the  community. 
They  have  aroused  the  clergy,  called  down  the  male- 
dictions of  the  press,  and  have,  all  in  all,  improved  the 
tone  of  public  morals.  Fear,  if  not  conscience,  is  the 
powerful  agent  of  right. 

Using  the  statistics  compiled  by  Dr.  W.  W.  Sanger 
as  a  basis,  but  altering  his  figures  to  conform  to  the 
evil  as  it  has  increased,  with  10,000  public  women,  the 
reader  can  ascertain  valuable  facts,  and  draw  his  own 
conclusions : 

AGES.  No.  AGES.  No. 

Fifteen 10  Twenty '.1,340 

Sixteen 85  Twenty-one 1,130 

Seventeen 310  Twenty-two 880 

Eighteen 705  Twenty-three 7'55 

Nineteen 1,200  Above  twenty-three  3,575 

Three-eighths  of  these  women  were  born  in  the 
United  States,  and  the  rest  are  of  foreign  countries. 
Of  the  United  States,  New  York  furnished  the  most, 
then  Pennsylvania,  then  Connecticut.  The  Eastern 
States  furnish  the  most,  the  Middle  States  the  next 
largest  number,  then  the  Southern  States,  and  lastly 
the  Western  States.  Five-eighths  were  born  abroad. 
Of  these,  Ireland  furnishes  more  than  one-half,  Germany 
about  one-sixth,  England  one-twelfth,  British  North 
America  one-twentieth,  and  the  other  nationalities  the 
lesser  proportions.  In  large  numbers,  these  fallen  girls 
begin  their  career  of  shame  almost  immediately  upon 


227 

entering  the  United  States.  The  vast  majority  come  to 
New  York  as  emigrants,  either  to  improve  their  worfdly 
condition,  or  to  find  relatives  who  had  already  emigrated 
to  these  shores.  The  columns  of  the  Press  have  from 
time  to  time  plainly  spoken  of  the  gross  outrages  per- 
petrated on  innocent  peasant  girls,  and  have  severely 
condemned  the  brutality  of  those  floating  dens  of  in- 
famy, which,  if  they  safely  bear  their  cargoes  to  port, 
really  wreck  all  the  virtue  they  contain  on  the  rock  of 
hopeless  degradation.  The  intelligence  of  this  class 
may  be  judged  from  the  following  figures : 

Those  who  read  and  write  well 3,570 

Those  who  read  and  write  imperfectly 2,730 

Those  who  read  only 1,095 

Without  education 2,605 

The  abandoned  women  born  in  this  country  are 
much  superior  to  those  of  foreign  climes.  Indeed, 
many  of  them  are  highly  accomplished,  and  have  all 
the  aii*s  and  graces  of  true  refinement  The  following 
shows  their  relation  to  society  as  concerned  in  the 
marriage  tie : 

Single 6,070 

Married 2,450 

Widowed 1,480 

111  usage  by  husbands,  desertions,  intempei^nce,  ab- 
sence of  husbands  for  a  prolonged  time,  infidelity,  re- 
fusal to  support  wives,  are  all,  in  the  order  named,  the 
several  causes  as  assigned  by  married  women  for  their 
depravity.  Some  husbands  living  with  their  wives  de- 
liberately abuse  them  for  hire.  Justice  makes  us 
record  that  this  is  seldom  true  of  Americans. 


228 

Nearly  one-half  of  all  this  class,  single,  married,  and 
widowed,  have  had  children,  and  the  rest  have  not,  and 
the  children  all  told,  in  number  are  equal  to  the  aban- 
doned women.  Considerable  less  than  one-half  are  legit- 
imate. About  two-thirds  of  the  total  number  live. 
The  largest  number  of  women  have  been  on  the  town 
about  one  year,  and  from  this  point  the  numbers  di- 
minish both  for  a  shorter  and  a  longer  period ;  but  a 
very  small  percentage  surviving  ten  years,  and  but  an 
incredible  small  number  beyond  five  years.  The  re- 
sources of  these  women  are  generally  ascertained  to  be 
as  follows : 

Dependent  solely  upon  prostitution 8,490 

Other  means  of  support 1,510 

Those  who  worked  for  existence  before  adopting  vice 
as  a  trade,  were  servants  (in  the  largest  number).  Dress- 
makers, tailoresses,  seamstresses,  milliners,  and  sales- 
women, come  next  in  order.  In  worldly  pursuits,  it 
appears  the  daughters  of  farmers  prevail  over  any 
others;  next  laborers,  carpenters,  masons,  merchants, 
blacksmiths,  and  butchers.  More  than  one-fourth  have 
fathers  living,  and  but  a  little  greater  number  have 
mothers.  They  drink  spirituous  liquors  in  the  follow- 
ing proportions : 

Do  net  drink  liquor 1,795 

Drink  with  moderation 3,235 

Drink  intemperately 3,770 

Habitual  drunkards 1,200 

Intoxication  is  so  intimately  allied  with  the  evil 
that  Dr.  Sanger  says  :  "  Our  decided  impression  is  that 
not  one  per  cent,  of  the  prostitutes  of  New  York  prac- 


229 

tice  their  calling  without  partaking  of  intoxicating 
drinks."  As  a  matter  of  fact,  this  is  undoubtedly  true. 
Many  young  men,  with  tastes  for  abandoned  women, 
but  none  for  drink,  are  thus  driven  into  excesses  over 
wine,  whisky,  and  gin,  until  finally  they  embrace  every 
species  of  crime  and  sink,  as  low  in  the  social  scale  as 
it  is  possible  for  men  to  do. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

CAUSES  OP  THE  SOCIAL  EVIL— A  PRACTICAL  VIEW  —CLASSES  OF 
WOMEN — CLASSES  OF  MEN — LOCALITIES. 

The  men  who  patronize  houses  of  a  doubtful  char- 
acter, and  give  to  the  social  evil  the  only  support  that 
it  has,  may  be  divided  into  three  classes : 

First — The  avowed  libertines,  who  consist  of  gam- 
blers, sports,  and  men  of  exquisite  ease.  They  dress 
well,  wear  jewels,  and  have  a  fascinating  abandon,  with 
which  they  charm  even  virtuous  women. 

Second — The  vast  number  of  young  men — clerks, 
countrymen,  salesmen,  and  students — who,  too  poor  to 
marry,  seek  the  indulgence  as  a  professed  necessary  re- 
creation. They  are  by  far  the  more  numerous. 

Third — The  married  men.  This  body  is  very  large, 
and  from  a  thousand  inexplicable  reasons  contribute 
even  millions  which  should  be  expended  in  their  own 
families,  and  assist  to  debilitate  their  wives  and  off- 
spring by  insidious  disease.  A  fourth  class  might  also 
be  named,  as  those  who  prey  upon  the  earnings  of  the 
women,  associate  with  them  as  lovers,  and  fill  the  sta- 
tion-houses, court-rooms,  and  State  prisons,  as  blacklegs 
and  criminals. 

The  localities  where  the  social  evil  exists  are  con- ' 
stantly  varying.  Each  1st  of  May  finds  the  gradations 
ascending  the  island  with  the  flow  of  population. 


231 

Now,  the  vilest  dens  are  in  the  purlieus  of  Water  and 
Cherry  streets,  and  about  Baxter  street,  where  dance- 
houses  abound,  low  boarding-houses  flourish,  and  the 
sailors  carry  on  their  low  carnival  among  gins  and 
whiskies.  Almost  decomposed  masses  of  animated 
flesh  degrade  even  the  foul  atmosphere  of  the  Fourth 
ward.  It  would  be  indecent  to  describe  the  average 
appearance  of  one  of  these  women.  Greene  street  has 
within  a  year  descended  to  the  level  of  Water  street 
This  thoroughfare  is  a  stagnant  sewer  of  the  vilest  deg- 
radation. Murder  is  an  ordinary  concomitant  of  a  mid- 
night debauch,  and  panel-houses  are  open  to  the  pat- 
ronage of  credulous  countrymen.  By  twelve  o'clock 
the  orgies  commence,  and  the  work  of  the  police 
grows  warm.  Mercer  street  is  next  in  degree,  but  busi- 
ness has  driven  away  most  of  the  worst  rendezvous. 

Here,  it  would  be  pertinent  to  inquire  why  Trinity 
church,  a  great  pillar  of  morality,  should  rent,  directly 
or  indirectly,  its  property  for  houses  of  ill-repute,  and 
derive  revenues  from  the  lowest  species  of  personal  sin. 

Crosby  street,  Houston  street,  Wooster  street,  Amity 
street,  and  Bleecker  street,  improve  little  upon  the  char- 
acter of  the  other  localities  named.  They  are  all  dan- 
gerous, and  rilled  with  females  worn  out  by  long  ser- 
vica  Clinton  place  and  Eighth  street,  are  both,  per- 
haps, better  than  the  above  localities  in  point  of  safety 
from  disease.  Thompson  and  Sullivan  streets  are 
known  to  all  as  quarters  of  the  worst  description.  Thir- 
teenth street  is  still  an  improvement — we  speak  only 
as  "  men  of  the  world  "  regard  these  things — for  there 
is  no  distinction  in  vice.  Twenty-fifth  street  is  still 
higher  in  the  scale,  and  twenty-seventh  street  tops  the 
whole.  The  establishments  here  are  furnished  in  the 
most  luxuriant  style ;  Axminster  carpets,  complete  sets 


.       232 

in  satin,  elaborately  wrought  by  hand ;  elegances  that 
are  unusual  in  private  mansions  are  there  to  allure  the 
caller.  The  rents  are  enormous,  and  the  wages  of  sin 
are  profitable.  It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  the  gambling 
hells  of  Morrissey,  Chamberlain,  and  Ransom,  are  in 
the  same  neighborhood,  and  that  the  two  vices  go  to- 
gether. Madison  square  is  the  nucleus  of  all  shades  of 
the  most  luxuriant  laxity.  From  this  spot  the  social 
evil  has  less  concentration,  but  houses  of  the  superior 
class  exist  all  over  the  city.  Notorious  women — such 
names  as  Macready,  Wood,  and  Cozzens — still  carry 
on  their  business  in  their  less  fashionable  houses. 

So  long  as  there  is  general  prosperity,  so  long  will 
the  social  evil  decline.  Financial  prostration  helps  it ; 
indeed,  it  is  the  main  pillar.  In  general,  it  is  true  that 
so  long  as  vice  is  in  demand,  just  in  the  same  measure 
will  there  be  the  supply. 

Touching  the  nature  of  its  origin,  we  have  traced  to 
the  borders  of  the  primeval  garden.  What  keeps  it 
alive  to-day?  What  are  its  causes  in  New  York? 
The  comprehensive  cause  is  the  care  of  children.  It 
includes  all  others,  and  is  the  root  of  the  evil.  Any 
individual  case  will  suffice  to  prove  this,  and  the  state- 
ment is  boldly  made,  that  nine  times  out  of  ten  the  par- 
ent is  responsible  for  a  ruined  daughter.  Letting  mor- 
alizing go  and  adhering  to  facts,  what  can  be  noted  now, 
in  this  city  ?  Young  girls  are  taken  to  lewd  exhibi- 
tions at  the  theatres  ;  they  are  encouraged  in  lascivious 
styles  of  dress  ;  they  are  supported  in  expensive  hab- 
its ;  they  are  treated  to  doubtful  literature,  and  thus 
woman's  curiosity  is  fed  until  nothing  will  satisfy  it 
but  a  complete  surrender  of  their  virtue.  A  reliable 
physician  says,  that  more  girls  are  seduced  because  of 
their  curiosity  than  because  of  their  lust  Desire  is 


233 

doubtless  a  prolific  source  ;  but  anxiety  for  fashionable 
dress,  for  gaudy  clothes,  for  luxurious  lives,  for  gen- 
eral ease,  for  drink,  for  revenge,  are,  all  in  all,  powerful 
incentives.  Facts  disclose  that  dress  is  ruining  the  sex. 
Married  women  secretly  abandon  virtue  for  its  tinsel 
attractions ;  young  girls  surrender  chastity  to  their  idol, 
and  little  is  it  dreamed  how  much  outward  ornaments 
are  often  the  symbols  of  inward  infamy.  Adopted 
children,  a  lady  asserts,  who  has  worked  many  years  in 
a  reformatory  institution,  form  the  large  class  of  com- 
mon girls.  This  is  something  new  to  the  question,  and 
deserves  attention.  Unpleasant  lives,  want  of  acknowl- 
edged affection  for  their  kind  protectors,  and  general 
ingratitude,  are  stated  as  common  reasons. 

Wherever  a  woman  comes  from,  and  under  what 
circumstances,  she  has  a  fixed  position  in  the  demi  monde 
generally  determined  by  her  personal  beauty.  Her  re- 
finement and  accomplishments  have  much  to  do  with 
her  status,  and  these,  of  course,  naturally  place  her  in 
the  higher  walks.  Foreign  women  rarely  occupy  houses 
of  the  best  class,  but  those  where  riot  and  debauchery 
have  the  most  unlimited  sway  and  the  greatest  ob- 
scenity. We  divide  them  into  three  classes : 

First — Women  who  practice  vice  secretly  to  gratify 
lust  or  obtain  money. 

Second — Women  who  fill  houses  of  ill-fame. 

Third — Women  of  the  dance-houses  and  concert  sa- 
loons. 

Of  the  first  class,  nothing  can  be  said.  No  law  could 
prevent  their  criminal  practices  in  one  form  or  another, 
and  they  can  only  be  left  to  their  own  consciences. 
The  second  class  are  the  products  of  every  misfortune 
which  has  been  referred  to  above.  Whether  from  the 
country,  from  abroad,  or  native  to  New  York,  this  class 
30 


234 

of  women  forms  the  bulk,  the  great  mass  of  public 
bawds,  who  are  almost  hopelessly  gone. 

The  average  unfortunate  is  the  girl  of  nineteen.  She 
is  fair  in  person,  not  beautiful,  uses  paints  and  cos- 
metics, and  resorts  to  all  the  conveniences  employed  in 
building  up  a  symmetrical  female  figure.  She  is  low 
in  her  language,  and  vulgar  in  her  address.  She  drinks, 
retires  at  two  in  the  morning  in  a  state  of  intoxication, 
and  has  a  voracious  appetite.  She  has  at  some  time  of 
her  career  been  afflicted  with  disease ;  she  goes  to  the 
hospital ;  her  health  fails ;  she  can  no  longer  sustain 
her  course  of  reeking  corruption,  and  she  has  either  to 
reform  or  become  a  public  pauper.  She  settles  in  the 
vilest  dens  of  the  city.  No  longer  with  any  self- 
respect,  she  enters  the  dance-houses  of  Water  street, 
dissipates  into  the  Potter's  Field,  and  is  coffined  in  the 
city  cemetery.  Her  career  lasts  but  five  years,  and  then 
death ;  but  five  years  of  immorality — five  years  of  de- 
bauchery— five  years  of  increasing  remorse — five  years 
of  loathsome  suffering — five  years  wrapped  in  the 
shroud  of  an  infamous  death,  turning  to  ashes  without 
a  solitary  mourner ! 

The  third  class  takes  the  dying  embers  of  the  second, 
and,  heating  them  in  the  furnaces  of  Water  and  Cherry 
streets,  fuses  depravity  with  depravity. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

REFORMATORY — MIDNIGHT   MISSION — A   LETTER   FROM  A  RE- 
FORMED ONE — WORK  BY  RELIGIOUS  SOCIETIES — THE  REMEDY. 

It  is  gratifying  to  know  that  reformatory  institutions 
on  the  island  are  doing  an  important  work.  All  state- 
ments to  the  contrary,  they  are  incomparably  the  worst 
foes  of  the  social  evil.  A  glance  at  the  Midnight  Mis- 
sion, at  No.  23  Amity  street,  will  disclose  the  opera- 
tions of  all.  The  structure  is  a  plain  three-story  brick 
house,  with  accommodations  for  twenty-five  inmates. 
During  the  past  year,  360  girls  have  been  reclaimed 
from  their  evil  ways.  The  system  of  obtaining  girls  is 
by  cards,  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee  of  gentle- 
men, who  scour  the  streets  every  Friday  evening,  and 
circulate  a  card,  bearing  the  following : 


THE 

COMMITTEE    OF    THE   MIDNIGHT    MISSION 
WILL  BE  HAPPY  TO  SEE  YO0  AT  TEA, 

ON    FRIDAY    EVENING.    AT    10    O'CLOCK. 

AT  NO.  23  AMITY  STREET, 
BETWEEN     GREENE     AND     MERCER. 

O 

ROOMS  OPEN  EVERY  DAY,  FROM  2  TO  4,  P.  M.,  FOR    PRIVATE 
CONVERSATION  AND  FRIENDLY  ADVICE. 


The  girls  answer  to  the  number  of  a  dozen  a  week. 
They  tell  the  old  story — a  defiled  emigrant,  a  seduced 


236 

servant,  a  deceived  country  girl,  drink,  opium,  laud- 
anum, morphine,  and  disease.  The  better  class  rarely 
seek  the  Mission — only  those  brokeri  down  in  health — 
but  all  enter  voluntarily.  Refreshments  are  served, 
and  offer  extra  inducements  to  the  girls.  Once  in  the 
institution,  the  girls  are  surrounded  by  spiritual  influ- 
ences, and  also  made,  as  far  as  possible,  to  forget  their 
former  lives.  A  majority  do  not  sincerely  reform. 
Those  who  are  furnished  work,  seek  other  States,  and 
finally  marry.  It  is  a  noble  institution.  There  has 
never  been  any  deaths  since  its  foundation.  Work  is 
found  those  with  whom  contrition  is  evident.  . 

The  following  is  from  one  whom  the  ladies'  commit- 
tee procured  a  situation  : 

DECEMBER  5,  1868. 
DEAR  Miss  B. : 

I  feel  as  if  I  could  not  wait  any  longer  to  write  to  you.  I 
think  a  letter  from  you  would  comfort  me.  I  feel  so  lonely.  I 
feel  like  one  alone  in  the  wide  world.  Dear  Miss  B.,  you  don't 
know  how  hard  it  is  for  me  to  appear  cheerful,  when  I  feel  so 
sad.  I  try  to  forget  what  is  past,  but  I  can  not.  It  is  always 
uppermost  in  my  mind.  I  often  think  of  you,  and  of  how  very 
kind  you  were  to  me,  and  wish  I  could  see  you  again,  and  hear 
you  read  Sunday  night. 

The  following  figures  show  the  almost  incredible 
amount  of  work  performed  by  the  different  religious 
missions  up  to  January  1,  1870: 

CARED  FOR.  DEATHS. 

House  of  the  Good  Shepherd 680  7 

Midnight  Mission 360  0 

Home  in  West  Fourth  street 80  0 

House  of  Mercy 118  3 

New  York  Magdalen  Benevolent  Society .   165  0 

Total 1,403  10 


237 

Of  these  reclaimed  women,  745  are  foreign,  and  658 
are  native.  While  1,403  are  emerging  from  sin,  an 
equal  number  fill  up  the  vacated  ranks. 

As  to  the  remedy — there  is  none ;  but,  as  Dr.  Harris 
claims,  the  evil  can  be  lessened  a  hundred-fold. 

These  words  close  a  report  of  the  Board  of  Health, 
signed  by  three  eminent  physicians  : 

First — To  oblige  all  hospitals  and  dispensaries,  which  receive 
pecuniary  aid  from  the  public,  to  treat  venereal  diseases. 
Second—  Registration  of  prostitutes,  &c. 
Third    Hospitals  for  prostitutes. 

Fourth — The  sanitary  inspection  of  prostitutes.  These,  or 
something  as  simple  as  these,  must  be  at  the  foundation  of  the 
proposed  reform.  The  remarks  made  are  intended  to  be  explan- 
atory of  their  effects.  We  know  that  we  have  not  covered  the 
whole  subject  of  control  or  medical  supervision.  This  must  be 
the  work  of  the  Legislature.  Much  must  be  left  to  persuasion 
and  to  the  influence  of  public  sentiment,  which  we  believe  is 
earnest  in  its  demand  that  prostitution  shall  be  restricted  and 
controlled. 

JOHN  D.  STONE,  M.  D., 
WILLARD  PARKER,  M.D., 
JAMES  CRANE,  M.  D., 

Sanitary  Committee. 

Besides  these  suggestions,  all  the  good  features  of 
European  cities  should  be  adopted.  Violence  should 
be  rendered  impossible ;  panel-games  and  larceny  placed 
under  espionage ;  citizens  should  not  have  their  homes 
polluted  by  too  close  contact  of  bawdy  houses.  Those 
hotels  in  Broadway  which  invite  open  assignations 
should  be  proclaimed  by  the  law  to  be  what  they  are. 
No  bars  or  liquors  of  any  kind  should  be  permitted  as 
adjuncts.  Indecent  public  balls  should  be  prohibited. 
Concert  saloons  should  be  broken  up.  Open  solicita- 
tions in  the  street  should  be  interdicted.  Let  safe- 


238 

guards  of  this  nature  be  framed  by  the  Legislature,  and 
the  evil  will  soon  be  under  police  control.  Then,  if 
there  is  not  a  reduction  in  the  $5,000,000  annually  spent 
upon  these  women — allowing  $500  per  head — disease 
will  be  less  prevalent,  vice  less  attractive,  and  the  evil 
will  go  into  decline. 

The  Legislature  of  1868  undertook  to  enact  laws  to 
control  the  evil,  but  the  opposition  of  moralists  was  too 
fierce.  It  was  proposed  to  levy  a  fine  of  $500  once  a 
year  upon  every  house  carrying  on  the  business,  but 
the  objection  was  that  the  State  should  reap  no  revenue 
from  crime.  Efforts  will  soon  be  made  to  reintroduce 
the  subject,  with  a  probability  that  the  authorities  will 
take  some  remedial  measures.  It  is  useless  to  dwell 
upon  their  necessity.  Every  man  and  woman  con- 
nected with  the  missions,  every  physician,  every  citi- 
zen that  cares  for  the  public  weal,  every  humanitarian, 
and  every  true  Christian,  pronounce  with  one  voice  that 
the  Legislature  must  act.  Meanwhile,  the  police  are 
collecting  statistics.  Let  the  subject  be  studied  and 
mastered,  and  a  wise  and  politic  statute  framed.  Rea- 
son has  made  this  demand  ever  since  New  York  was 
an  infant  colony. 

"  Oh,  woman  !  if  by  simple  wile 

Thy  soul  has  stray'd  from  honor's  track, 
'Tis  mercy  only  can  beguile, 

By  gentle  ways,  the  wanderer  back. 

"  The  stain  that  on  thy  virtue  lies, 

Wash'd  by  thy  tears,  may  not  decay, 
As  clouds  that  sully  morning  skies, 
May  all  be  swept  in  showers  away. 

"  Go,  go— be  innocent,  and  live — 

The  tongues  of  men  may  wound  thee  sore ; 
But  Heaven,  in  pity,  can  forgive, 
And  bids  thce  '  go,  and  sin  no  more ! '  " 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

DEBAUCHERY  IN  PARIS  AND  EUROPEAN  CITIES — PARISIAN  SO- 
CIETY— THE  BAD  INFLUENCE  OF  THE  FRENCH  SYSTEM — 
LONDON — To  BE  OR  NOT  TO  BE. 

There  are  now  upward  of  10,000  common  women 
in  Paris,  making  about  one  to  every  200  of  the  popu- 
lation. Of  these,  the  city  of  Paris  furnishes  not  over 
one-third.  The  largest  number  are  the  daughters  of  day 
laborers.  Shoemakers,  stage  drivers,  soldiers,  and  car- 
penters, are  the  parents  whose  daughters  follow  the 
practice  to  the  degree  and  in  the  order  named.  About 
one-fourth  of  those  born  in  Paris  are  illegitimate,  and 
outside  of  Paris  about  one-eighth.  Over  half  of  those 
born  in  the  city  can  not  write  their  own  names,  and 
one-half  are  between  the  ages  of  twenty  and  twenty- 
seven.  These  syrens,  statistics  filed  with  the  prefect 
of  police  have  shown,  practice  their  calling  but  a  few 
years,  and  then  sink  into  premature  graves.  The  causes 
of  the  evil  in  Paris  have  been  traced  by  an  eminent 
medical  authority  to  be  the  following,  in  figures  which 
we  have  taken  the  liberty  of  modifying  so  as  to  pre- 
serve their  value  for  the  present  day.  They  are  to  be 
relied  on  as  correct  Of  course  it  would  not  be  possi- 
ble to  bring  the  figures  down  to  within  a  fraction,  as 
the  people  immediately  concerned  are  not  always  will- 
to  give  the  desired  information : 


240 

Want '. 2,880 

Expulsion  from  home  or  desertion  by  parents. . .  2,500 

Desire  to  support  old  and  infirm  parents 80 

Desire  to  support  other  relatives 60 

Widows  with  families  to  support   50 

Girls  from  the  country,  to  support  themselves  . .  500 

Girls  of  soldiers,  clerks,  students,  &c 800 

Abandoned  servants  seduced  by  masters 560 

Concubines  abandoned  by  lovers 2,850 

Total 10,280 

It  is  a  provision  of  the  police  that  there  shall  be  but 
one  occupant  to  each  room,  and  that  each  room  shall  be 
provided  with  soap,  water,  and  all  the  utensils  of  ablu- 
tion; and  that  none  of  the  disgraceful  panel-games 
shall  be  allowed,  as  are  at  present  so  flourishing  in  this 
city.  All  houses  are  under  complete  control  by  the 
police,  and  no  house  will  be  tolerated  within  the  walls 
of  the  city  without  an  authenticated  license.  Every 
keeper  of  a  house  must  be  a  female,  as  she  must  have 
been  one  of  the  demi  monde  herself!  She  must  be  of 
sober  and  of  steady  habits,  with  sufficient  force  of  char- 
acter to  command  a  houseful  of  reckless  and  ungovern- 
able bawds.  She  must  have  enough  money  to  insure 
her  against  failure,  and  must  own  all  the  furniture  of 
her  house.  In  a  pass-book,  given  by  the  police,  she 
must  enter  the  names  of  all  her  boarders,  and  record 
all  inspections  of  physicians,  all  domestic  changes,  all 
fresh  arrivals,  all  departures,  and  everything  criminal 
or  negligent  among  the  girls.  Failure  to  carry  out 
these  mandatory  provisions  is  punished  by  a  heavy 
penalty.  Unlike  the  system  in  New  York,  the  girls 
are  not  allowed  to  receive  the  earnings  of  their  de- 
bauchery, but  only  their  board,  lodging,  and  clothes,  the 
latter  of  which  are  very  expensive.  The  social  evil  is 


241 

thus  a  regularly  licensed  business  in  Paris,  the  same  as 
liquor-selling  is  in  New  York,  and  many  brothel-keep- 
ers have  been  known  to  retire  with  handsome  fortunes, 
selling  their  "  good  will  "  at  a  high  figure.  All  the 
girls  are  visited  weekly,  and  unless  they  subject  them- 
selves to  medical  examination  are  severely  punished. 
Safeguards  of  every  nature  protect  the  public,  and  the 
whole  Parisian  system  works  wisely  and  well. 

tii  Paris,  society  has  been  for  centuries  rotten  to  the 
core.  The  people  live  out  of  doors.  There  is  no  do- 
mestic sentiment,  and  the  Frenchman  is  in  his  glory 
when  he  is  gaming,  drinking,  and  carousing.  The  cap- 
ital of  France  is  at  this  hour  sought  by  Americans, 
who,  not  secure  in  following  easy  and  indulging  lives 
at  home,  seek  for  them  in  the  strange  resorts  of  a  for- 
eign city.  This  tendency  is  not  peculiar  to  our  own 
country,  but  is  marked  in  Europeans  of  every  nation- 
ality. Let  any  one  make  a  superficial  inquiiy  into  the 
accomplishments  of  an  English  nobleman,  a  prince,  or 
an  archduke,  and  he  will  find  that  no  part  of  his  nec- 
essary training,  according  to  the  ethics  of  his  royal  clan, 
is  among  the  organic  libertinism  of  the  second  Empire. 
Perhaps  this  of  all  phases  of  the  social  evil  is  the  worst 
as  an  argument  for  the  license  system.  Napoleonic 
codes  have  put  such  fine  points  to  debauchery,  and  go 
so  far  in  their  encouragement  of  gilded  allurements, 
such  as  the  Mabille  and  Jardin  des  Fleurs,  that  vice  is 
really  made  attractive.  No  one  will  forget  either  of 
the  two  celebrated  gardens  named.  Their  fame  is  as 
wide  as  print  can  make  them,  or  as  tongue  can  speak 
their  almost  fabled  enchantments.  But  who  imagines 
that  they  could  exist  and  flourish  if  they  did  not  have 
the  full  encouragement  and  support  of  the  law  ?  Who 
imagines  that  the  social  evil  would  draw  thousands  of 
31 


242 

patrons  to  Paris,  were  it  not  for  an  unusual  degree  of 
finish,  and  at  the  same  time  abandon,  in  the  vice  ?  The 
Mabille,  for  instance,  is  probably  never  neglected  by  the 
Parisian  sight-seer.  It  is  the  magnet  of  Paris.  When 
one  enters,  it  is  night-fall,  and  then  a  police  regulation 
declares  that  every  woman,  lady  or  not,  in  the  streets 
of  the  city  can  be  insulted  with  impunity ;  the  first 
things  that  meet  the  eye  are  those  dark  masses  of  lux- 
uriant foliage  which  are  seen  everywhere  in  the  great 
gardens  of  the  French  metropolis.  Rows  of  colored 
globes,  highly  illuminated  by  intense  gas  jets,  gleam 
through  the  shrubbery,  and  a  fee  of  five  francs  passes 
the  visitor  into  a  night-park  of  wondrous  beauty. 
Cascades,  enchanting  bowers,  shaded  arbors,  thick  clus- 
ters of  bushes,  rustic  seats,  nicely  contrived  episodes, 
have  been  placed  by  the  hand  of  the  landscape  gardener 
with  wonderful  genius.  About  the  middle  of  the  garden 
is  a  large  open  space,  a  circular  ring,  in  the  centre  of  which 
is  the  music  stand.  Seats  skirt  it  round  about.  Cafes 
stretch  away  on  the  sloping  mound,  and  overhead 
patches  of  the  starlit  sky  are  visible  through  the  leafy 
roof.  Amid  this  beauty  is  the  wildest  dancing  in 
Paris.  Here  the  common  women  are  congregated. 
The  cancan  flourishes,  the  harmonies  float  away  on  the 
evening  air,  and  thousands  of  Parisian  heels  are  higher 
than  thousands  of  Parisian  heads.  A  few  pounds 
brings  the  rich  Englishman  to  this  scene,  and  he  is 
happy.  Assignations,  of  course,  terminate  the  orgies. 
Hence,  probably,  the  most  frequent  and  exhaustless 
source  of  impurity  in  the  world.  Such  is  the  Paris 
system.  It  needs  no  comment.  Americans  go  there, 
who  visit  the  scene  as  well  as  others.  Young  ladies 
return  to  this  country  tainted.  Lust  has  received  the 
support  of  its  most  powerful  ally,  and  the  current  once 


243 

determined  pursues  its  natural  flow.  Here  resides  a 
cause  and  effect  for  the  social  scientist 

London  is  also  a  bad  city — worse,  probably,  than 
Xew  York.  The  Strand  at  midnight  is  paced  by  aban- 
doned women,  who  enact  their  revolting  scenes  by  the 
implied  sanction  of  the  police.  At  the  Alhambra,  the 
Mabille  of  Paris  is  reproduced.  Other  cities  of  Europe 
are  equally  licentious,  but  none  is  so  foul  as  Hamburg, 
which,  above  the  rest,  spreads  and  increases  the  poison 
of  the  social  evil.  In  Vienna,  Berlin,  Leipsic,  Madrid, 
St  Petersburg,  Liverpool,  and  particularly  in  seaport 
cities,  the  social  evil  may  well  cause  the  most  familiar 
with  crime  to  be  surprised.  The  outpouring  of  emigra- 
tion from  these  cities,  the  contact  of  American  travel- 
ers, and  the  influence  which  one  locality  must  have  on 
another,  however  remote,  all  have  their  effect  upon  the 
condition  of  the  evil  in  this  city. 

From  the  facts  presented,  it  will  be  observed  that  the 
evil  here  recognized  and  guarded  by  law  assumes 
many  forms  deleterious  to  the  well-being  of  society. 
Whole  peoples  become  libertines;  virtue  is  the  ex- 
ception and  not  the  rule.  Unlimited  revelries  succeed 
lax  morality;  domestic  peace  is  overthrown,  and  the 
marriage  tie  is  merely  a  civil  contract  This  is  bad,  very- 
bad  ;  but  is  it  worse  than  to  have  5,000  women,  who 
carry  on  a  business  which  must  exist  as  long  as  men 
and  women  are  what  they  are,  pursue  their  degrading 
calling,  disseminating  the  seeds  of  ineradicable  disease 
among  the  best  blood  of  the  Union  ?  Is  it  worse  than 
to  see  the  vitality  of  the  people  becoming  diluted  year 
by  year,  and  in  each  succeeding  generation  sowing 
constitutional  complaints  that  make  offspring  undesir- 
able acquisitions  to  society — glaring  evidences  of  pa- 
rental weaknesses?  Is  it  well  to  sacrifice  the  health  of 


244 

posterity — of  millions  unborn — to  make  an  innocent  suf- 
ferer decrepit  and  infirm,  while  he  yet  should  be  healthy 
and  vigorous  ?  That  is  the  whole  question.  To  state 
it  is  to  answer  it.  Whatever  may  be  the  condition  of 
the  social  evil  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  in  a  physical 
and  sanitary  view,  it  is  worse  in  New  York  than  in 
any  quarter  of  the  globe.  Two  out  of  five,  it  is  de- 
clared, suffer  from  incurable  diseases.  These  they 
communicate  to  persons,  who,  in  turn,  spread  them 
broadcast,  till  it  is  now  believed  that  no  one  is  safe  as 
to  the  blood  he  is  to  marry,  or  as  to  the  dangers  in 
store  for  a  long  line  of  possible  posterity. 


CHAPTER   XLVII. 

» 

DECOY  SHOPS — ACCOUNT  OF  THE  SEGAR  STORE  BAGNIOS — 
LADIES'  OPINIONS — THE  WORKING  GIRLS  —  BOARDING- 
HOUSES — PRACTICAL  THOUGHTS. 

Those  little  "  decoy  shops  "  where  surreptitious  co- 
habitation is  masked  in  the  traffic  of  Havana  segars, 
are  a  peculiar  feature  of  New  York  fast  life.  One  sees 
nothing  of  the  kind  in  Boston,  or  Philadelphia,  or  any 
of  the  minor  cities :  there,  indeed,  thin  disguises  are 
thrown  over  the  evil ;  but  anything  so  naive  and  in- 
genious as  the  little  "decoy  shop,"  with  its  respect- 
able little  blind,  labelled  "  segars ;  "  and  its  decorous 
little  pile  of  segar-box  dummies,  so  well  calculated  to 
deceive  the  unwary  stranger  and  "take  him  in,"  is  a 
felicitous  combination  of  inventive  touches  elsewhere 
unknown.  These  "  decoy  shops  "  are  scattered  about 
in  various  parts  of  the  city  below  Tenth  street ;  in  cer- 
tain localities  they  seem  to  flourish  very  luxuriantly, 
as  one  sees  them  in  rows  of  three  or  four  together. 
The  atmosphere  in  the  up-town  regions  does  not  appear 
to  favor  their  growth.  The  women  who  keep  them, 
the  "  madams,"  are  nearly  all  Europeans.  The  prop- 
rietors treat  the  girls  kindly ;  but  wring  from  them 
almost  the  last  cent  of  their  wretched  earnings.  The 
girls  state  that  they  can  make  from  $30  to  $50  a  week  ; 
but  even  when  they  earn  the  latter  sum,  they  can  seldom 


save  a  dollar  from  one  week  to  another.  In  the  first 
place,  the  mistress  claims  one-half  the  money  for  gen- 
eral expenses  of  the  establishment  Every  girl  is  then- 
charged  from  $16  to  $20  a  week  for  board.  And  as  the 
horrible  excitements  of  such  a  life  constantly  oblige 
the  miserable  creatures  to  stimulate  themselves  with 
ardent  spirits,  the  few  dollars  they  have  left,  after  the 
above  exactions  have  been  deducted,  are  soon  spent  in 
gin  and  whisky.  The  girls  are  generally  poorly 
draped ;  for  it  is  a  strange  fact  that  these  places  are 
mostly  supported,  according  to  the  current  slang,  by 
''regular  customers,"  and  therefore  anything  like  at- 
tractiveness, or  the  illusions  of  artr  are  not  required. 
The  girls  declare  that  at  least  four-fifths  of  their  visitors 
are  married  men.  These  little  hermitages  of  vice  cer- 
tainly present  not  the  least  curious  among  the  various 
phases  of  the  social  evil  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

In  connection  with  the  chapters  on  the  sin  of  all  sins, 
we  give  the  following  extracts  from  letters,  received 
from  several  ladies  of  position,  touching  some  points 
which  have  heretofore  escaped  notice.  Coming  as  they 
do  from  ladies,  they  are  entitled  to  respectful  consid 
eration : 

"  I  have  witnessed  in  many  cases  the  very  men  that 
we  look  to  for  order  and  safety  encourage  these  poor 
deluded  women  in  etery  possible  way  The  next  step 
would  be  to  have  a  law  whereby  working  women  could 
at  least  demand  sufficient  pay  to  keep  body  and  soul 
together.  These  very  men,  who  lavish  thousands  for 
their  own  sinful  lust,  pay  a  poor  woman  (perhaps  with 
children  to  support)  the  shameful  sum  of  fifty  cents  per 
dozen  for  shirts.  With  no  education,  sewing  is  con- 


247 

sidered  the  most  respectable  way  of  earning  a  living. 
When  that  fails,  what  is  a  woman  to  do  ?  Men  are  too 
often  put  in  positions  where  women  would  better  perform 
the  same  duties.  The  free  intelligence  office  so  recently 
established  by  our  city,  is  already  known  by  many  to  be 
an  unsafe  place  for  young,  comely  women.  Why  not 
have  there  employed  matronly,  pious  females,  who 
could  advise  with  the  many  unprotected  who  apply 
there,  rather  than  a  number  of  ill-behaved  young  men, 
who  are  ready  to  meet  these  very  girls  at  any  other 
place  ?  No ;  men  in  office  are  afraid  of  each  other. 
One  would  not  dare  read  the  other's  record.  While 
such  an  atmosphere  of  corruption  exists,  no  effectual 
remedy  can  be  used.  Our  midnight  missions  may 
struggle  on  and  redeem  some  souls.  Let  men  boldly 
and  conscientiously  perform  the  duty  given  them  in 
their  allotted  offices  of  church  and  State ;  let  ministers 
of  the  Gospel  proclaim  boldly  to  their  people  of  the  ex- 
isting sins  of  fraud,  extravagance,  and  licentiousness ; 
let  merchants  attend  more  themselves  to  the  giving  out 
of  work  and  paying  of  their  sewing  women  ;  let  report- 
ers of  daily  journals  follow  the  example  so  nobly  set 
for  them  by  publishing  truth.  Then  may  this  exist- 
ing, growing  evil  in  our  midst  be  decreased  in  its  num 
ber  to  at  least  hundreds." 

The  second  letter  presents  some  very  plain  truths  : 

"  I  will  confine  my  remarks  to  home  '  scenes  '  or  '  in- 
fluences,' in  their  relations  to  the  cause  of  this  dread- 
ful crime. 

"  The  comprehensive  cause  of  the  social  evil  is  the 
care  of  children,  which  means  the  want  of  proper 
care  in  their  education,  or  the  consequent  fatigue  which 


it  engenders.  There  are  two  great  causes,  in  my  opin- 
ion (in  this  city  especially),  for  the  very  lax  state  of 
morality.  The  one  is  the  boarding-houses,  in  which 
the  female  boarders  are  scarcely  anything  more  than 
'  toys  ; '  and  the  other  cause  is  the  ignorance  of  ladies 
generally  who  occupy  private  houses,  in  everything  ap- 
pertaining to  household  matters,  economy  and  all  else 
that  really  belongs  to  the  true  dignity  of  the  mistress  of 
the  home.  The  insane  passion  for  dress,  which  is  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  admiration,  and  which,  unfortu- 
nately, is  here  so  strongly  exhibited  in  the  married  wo- 
man, must  have  its  influence  upon  the  young  and  un- 
married, and  places  the  mother  in  their  power  ;  hence, 
the  utter  want  of  veneration  and  respect  to  the  parents. 

"  I  have  visited  Europe  frequently,  and  have  dwelt 
in  London,  Paris,  Switzerland,  and  Germany ;  and  on 
my  return  to  this  city,  about  four  years  since,  shall 
never  forget  how  shocked  I  felt  at  the  contrast  of  the 
style  of  dress  between  the  ladies  in  the  above-named 
countries  and  here.  Youth  and  age  were  exhibited  to 
my  eyes  in  about  the  same  amount  of  nudity,  while  in- 
nate modesty  would  have  taught  the  necessity  of  cover- 
ing certain  portions  of  the  form  which  are  calculated  to 
excite  the  passions,  but  not  the  respect,  of  men. 

"  In  good  society  abroad,  I  never  saw  such  an  abor- 
tion of  dress  as  here,  and  many  times  I  felt  sad,  as  re- 
garded this  want  of  delicacy  in  costume,  and  have,  with 
many  intellectual  friends,  talked  over  and  over  again  if 
it  were  possible  we  could  change  it.  We  saw  no  way 
open,  as  private  ladies,  except  by  our  condemnation, 
whenever  opportunity  served,  and  this,  unfortunately, 
would  make  us  enemies,  and  as  by  adoption  (though 
English)  I  am  an  American,  I  should  regret  this,  though 
my  advice  for  a  better  state  of  things  would  be  given 


249 

from  the  heart,  more  'in  sorrow  than  in  anger.'  All 
that  I  have  stated  in  my  letter  to  you  resolved  itself  in- 
to this  :  that  instead  of  the  women  of  this  city  turning 
their  attention  to  the  performance  of  duties  devolving 
upon  them  as  wives  and  mistresses  of  their  homes,  they, 
ignorant  as  they  are,  leave  all  such  to  servants,  who  are 
still  more  ignorant,  and  perceiving  the  want  of  knowl- 
edge* in  the  ladies  whom  they  are  expected  to  serve, 
take  advantage  of  this,  and  assume  that  of  which  they 
know  nothing,  'Hence,  those  who  hire  them  become 
in  the  power  of  the  domestics,  and  this  is  one  of  the 
secrets,  too,  of  '  bad  servants.'  The  desire  the  women 
seem  to  aspire  to  is  to  gratify  the  admiration  of  men, 
regardless  of  family  ties,  connections,  or  position  in  life. 
"  I  trust  the  time  will  yet  come  that  woman  will  feel 
that  the  truest  existence  is  made  up  of  virtue,  honor, 
and  dignity,  so  that  on  the  death-bed,  when  our  Heav- 
enly Father  calls,  she  can  say,  '  Lord,  I  am  ready !  I 
have  wronged  no  man.'  " 

The  modern  philosophers  of  the  period,  eloquent 
pulpit  declaimers,  and  theological  theorists  who  are 
charged  with  the  care  of  souls,  have  been  frequently 
found  departing  from  the  rules  of  theology  and  Chris- 
tian example,  to  eulogize  some  new  theory  outside  the 
pale  of  Grospel  truths ;  and  they  have  extended  their  per- 
nicious influence  so  far  as  to  set  themselves  up  as  a 
target  for  the  press  to  fling  the  shafts  of  ridicule  and 
odium  at  their  unchristian  doctrines,  and  the  holy  edi- 
fices over  which  they  have  been  elected  to  preside,  fur- 
nishing a  fitting  commentary  of  the  hypocrisy  they 
practice  in  their  piety  and  charity.  The  latter  being 
the  basis  upon  which  the  superstructure  of  true  relig- 
ion is  founded  and  upreared,  is  rendered  comparatively 
32 


250 

nugatory,  and  the  theological  atmosphere  becomes  nox- 
ious and  corrupt  from  the  exhalations  of  their  oratori- 
cal rhetoric;  we  also  find  the  temples  of  the  Lord 
desecrated  and  blasphemed,  the  worshipers  often  pur- 
chasing the  anecdotes  of  pulpit  blasphemy  and  jest,  at 
the  stroke  of  the  auctioneer's  gavel,  while  the  death-bed 
sinner,  seeking  the  consoling  balm  of  religious  counsel, 
is  regaled  with  the  mockery  of  a  banquet  more  befit- 
ting the  gayety  of  life  than  the  chamber  of  one  depart- 
ing in  the  agonies  of  remorse,  with  his  soul  unprepared 
to  meet  his  Grod.  Yet  these  are  the  doctrines  intro- 
duced and  promulgated  by  some  divines  to  cancel  the 
obligations  they  owe  to  their  several  congregations. 
Take  for  example,  the  pulpit  teachings  of  one  of  these 
so-called  divines,  on  Easter  Sabbath  last,  at  Lyric  Hall, 
in  this  city. 

Rev.  0.  B.  Frothingham,  in  his  discourse  on  the  laws 
of  matrimony,  &c.,  prefaced  it  by  an  allusion  to  the 
season  of  Spring,  with  its  attendant  pleasures  and  joys, 
and  remarked,  that  the  resurrection  of  nature,  after  many 
months  of  bleak,  cheerless  winter,  was  symbolical  of 
that  great  resurrection  whose  anniversary  was  being  cel- 
ebrated on  that  day  throughout  Christendom."  Then, 
as  a  finishing  stroke  on  his  favorite  theory,  he  concluded 
with  the  following  : 

"  The  marriage  relation  should  be  considered  with  a 
view  to  its  better  development ;  husband  and  wife 
should  not  be  jealous  of  each  other,  and  each  should 
have  full  privilege  and  right  to  property  to  use  and  en- 
joy, so  that  the  marriage  bond  shall  be  her  bond,  and  not 
a  legal  one ;  so  that  man  and  woman  should  be  bound 
together  by  their  hopes  and  affections.  These  were 
the  conditions  upon  which  happy  and  healthful  mar- 


251 

riages  could  be  consummated.  Marriage  should  not 
be  the  result  of  mere  whim,  impulse,  or  caprice,  but  be 
the  result  of  thought  and  conscience.  Then  a  senti- 
ment of  loving  kindness  will  pervade  the  community, 
a  low  state  of  morals  will  be  checked,  and  the  children 
would  be  reared  in  a  cradle  of  purity  and  truth,  charity 
and  respectability." 

Will  not  some  of  our  moral  philosopers,  who  have 
homes  and  doating  wives,  reflect  on  the  immoral  ten- 
dencies of  this  licensed  preacher  of  free  love.  It  is  a 
subject  worthy  of  the  best  efforts  of  some  philanthro- 
pist who  is  capable  of  the  task  of  putting  him  through 
a  course  of  reconstruction  and  aiding  him  in  experienc- 
ing true  religion. 

Let  those  so-called  teachers  of  morality,  who  abuse 
God's  holy  day  with  such  utterances  as  we  have 
just  quoted,  read  the  foregoing  chapters  on  the  "  so- 
cial evil,"  and  see  if  they  can  not  find  a  field  for  the 
exercise  of  their  religious  and  "progressive"  ideas, 
whereby  "  poor  humanity  "  may  be  taught  the  path  of 
right,  instead  of  crying  out  against  the  law  and  customs 
that  throw  around  the  domestic  circle  that  protection 
which  is  recognized  as  essential  to  the  very  existence  of 
the  social  relation. 


CHAPTER  XLVTIL 

A  MODERN  KING  HENRY — JAY  HOWARD  LIVINGSTONE  AND 
HIS  Six  WIVES — RUNNING  EXTRACTS  PROM  THE  LIFE  OF 
A  BEAU  OF  LEISURE — His  IMMOVABLE  CHEEK  AND  BREADTH 
OF  BRAIN. 

On  the  9th.  of  February,  the  New  York  Herald  pub- 
lished some  incidents  in  the  career  of  a  heartless  biga- 
mist, thief,  forger,  and  swindler,  that  aptly  illustrates 
the  imminent  dangers  resulting  from  answering  "  Per- 
sonals." The  lesson  is  so  well  rendered  that  the  author 
is  constrained  to  copy  the  article  in  extenso : 

"  The  readers  of  the  Herald  will  remember  the  publi- 
cation of  an  article  in  these  columns  on  the  15th  of 
April,  entitled  'the  perils  of  matrimony,'  relating  the 
particulars  concerning  the  cruel  manner  in  which  a  per- 
son calling  himself  Jay  Howard  Livingstone  had  de- 
ceived a  young  lady  of  estimable  character  into  mar- 
riage, after  which  robbing  and  then  heartlessly  desert- 
ing her. 

"It  will  be  remembered  that  the  lady  stated  to  Su- 
perintendent Warrin,  of  the  Detective  Police  Agency, 
No.  72  Broadway,  that  she  came  from  the  South  about 
eight  months  ago,  and,  having  a  few  thousand  dollars, 
thought  to  employ  it  best  by  renting  a  house  and  tak- 
ing boarders.  She  soon  became  the  mistress  of  a  fine 


253 

establishment  on  one  of  the  principal  streets,  and  her 
house  rapidly  filled  up.  Among  her  boarders  was  a 
young  man  of  pleasing  address,  who  represented  that 
he  was  connected  with  a  down-town  bank.  Shortly  af- 
ter his  arrival  at  the  house,  he  became  an  ardent  lover 
of  the  lady,  his  attentions  soon  resulting  in  a  noticeable 
intimacy  and  finally  an  engagement  between  them.  In 
the  meantime,  however,  in  order  to  protect  herself  from 
any  imposition  on  the  part  of  her  intended,  she  inter- 
viewed him  as  to  who  and  what  he  was,  and  received 
the  following  statements  :  '  I  am  in  no  particular  busi- 
ness ;  live  on  a  stated  income  from  my  property  ;  have 
at  present  some  $17,000  deposited  to  my  credit  in  a 
down-town  bank;  own  considerable  real  estate  and 
mijiing  claims  in  California,  and  to  endorse  my  state- 
ment I  refer  you  to  such  and  such  leading  business 
men  in  this  city.'  So  far,  so  good,  thought  the  lady. 
Inquiries  were  instituted,  but  somehow  or  other  the 
references  always  seemed  to  be  out  of  town  and  ex- 
pected home  soon. 

"  Time  flew  on,  the  couple  were  happy,  and  the  de- 
mand on  the  part  of  the  gentleman  was  constant  for  an 
immediate  marriage. 

"  Everything  on  the  surface  seemed  right,  and  the  fas- 
cinating youth  was  to  her  all  that  fancy  painted  him. 
Why  have  a  suspicion  ?  How  could  such  a  man  be 
•  anything  else  but  honest  and  straight-forward?  she 
argued :  and  the  longer  he  continued  his  attentions  the 
less  the  suspicions  became,  until  finally  the  references 
'  were  disregarded,  and  unmeasured  confidence  filled  her 
heart 

"  The  day  for  the  marriage  arrived.  Friends  were  in- 
vited and  had  commenced  to  arrive ;  but  when  near  tin- 
hour  for  the  ceremony,  the  bridegroom  manifested  givnt 


254 

despondency,  and  finally  said  that  he  had  been  disap- 
pointed in  not  receiving  a  draft  that  morning,  and  he 
did  not  like  to  disturb  his  $17,000  deposit  down  town. 
'If  that  is  all,'  said  the  intended  bride,  'I  can  accom- 
modate you.  How  much  do  you  want  ?  '  Five  hun- 
dred dollars  would  do  now,  as  he  desired  to  pay  it  to  a 
friend  whom  he  expected  every  moment  with  a  small 
bill.  The  money  was  produced.  Its  effect  on  the 
face  of  the  bridegroom  was  magical.  A  joyful  smile 
shone  upon  his  features,  and  all  was  merry  as  a  '  mar- 
riage bell '  should  be. 

"  The  bridal  tour  was  to  Montreal,  where  they  took 
rooms  at  a  first-class  hotel,  and  all  went  on  in  the  most 
serene  manner,  until  one  day  the  lady  had  occasion  to 
visit  one  of  her  trunks,  in  which  she  kept  her  money 
and  jewelry.  Six  hundred  dollars  of  her  money  had 
vanished.  The  servants  were  accused,  but  no  trace  of 
the  stolen  money  could  be  fouud,  and  here  the  matter 
for  the  time  ended.  At  the  termination  of  their  so- 
journ in  Montreal,  the  lady  requested  her  husband  to 
settle  the  hotel  bill  and  start  for  home.  To  this  re- 
quest he  said  he  could  not  comply,  for  he  had  no  money. 
This  led  to  words,  then  to  strong  accusations,  to  the 
effect  that  he  had  stolen  her  money.  At  last  he  ac- 
knowledged that  he  had  opened  the  trunk  with  a  false 
key  and  taken  the  money;  he  needed  it;  sent  it  to 
New  York  ;  asked  to  be  forgiven  ;  he  would  return  it 
to  her  in  New  York  as  soon  as  he  got  to  his  bank,  and 
would  never  do  such  an  act  again.  Woman-like,  she 
forgave  him,  and  even  went  so  far  as  to  pledge  her 
jewelry  with  the  hotel  proprietor  for  the  board.  Back 
they  started  for  New  York,  she  having  confidence  in 
him  again,  and  placing  the  three  trunks  she  had  in  his 
I'.harge.  As  they  were  approaching  New  York,  he  gave 


255 

the  three  checks  to  her,  and,  in  an  innocent  way,  said : 

*  There  are  the  three  checks  for  your  trunks,  and  you 
had  better  give  them  to  the  baggage  man  and  let  him 
take  them  to  the  house,  as  I  will  not  be  able  to  go 
with  you  after  placing  you  in  the  carriage,  as  I  have 
some  important  business  to  attend  to.'    This  seemed  sat- 
isfactory enough  to  the  wife,  who  repaired  to  her  room 
and  waited  the  appearance  of  her  trunks  and  husband ; 
but  no  trunks  or  husband  appeared,  the  only  arrival 
being    that   of    the   hat-box,    umbrella,    and   bundle. 
Where  are  the  trunks  and  the  husband  ?  is  the  ques- 
tion the  lady  would  like  solved. 

"  She  waited  five  days,  and  then  consulted  Superin- 
tendent Warrin's  detectives,  who  have  been  arduously 
at  work  ever  since  gathering  together  the  following 
facts  concerning  the  man,  in  the  hope  of  causing  his 
final  arrest  To  show  the  audacity  of  the  scoundrel, 
the  following  letter,  containing,  as  it  does,  a  tissue  of 
falsehoods  from  beginning  to  end,  was  received  on  the 
day  after  the  lady  made  her  complaint  at  the  office  of 
the  agency : 

"  APRIL  16,  1870. 

"  SUPT.  WARKIN,  DETECTIVE  POLICE  AGENCY, 

73  Broadway : 

"  SIR — I  have  had  the  great  pleasure  of  perusing  the  Herald's 
report  of  the  '  perils  of  matrimony,'  in  which  I  appear  the  lead- 
ing artist.  That  you  may  fully  and  properly  understand  the 

case,  I  write  you,  and  if  you  will  confer  with  Miss ,  she  will, 

I  trust,  acknowledge  the  correctness  of  my  version  of  the  unfor- 
tunate affair.  My  guilt  I  will  not  attempt  to  deny  ;  still,  I  shall 
state  some  facts  which  will  in  some  manner  exonerate  myself. 

*  *  *  It  matters  very  little  to  me  as  to  what  the  papers  publish  ; 
but  to  you,  with  whom  this  matter  has  been  placed  for  investi- 


256 

gation,  I  forward  the  facts.  About  the  loth  of  March,  I  replied 
to  a  matrimonial  notice  in  the  Sunday  Mercury,  and  addressed 
the  reply  to  '  Europe,  Union  square  P.O.,  823  Broadway.'  The 
advertiser  in  question  desired  to  meet  a  gent  going  to  Europe 
who  would  act  as  her  escort.  In  a  few  days  I  received  a  reply, 
requesting  me  to  call  at  —  West  Twenty-second  street.  I  called, 

and  there  first  met  Miss ,  and  during  my  stay  several  gents 

called,  and  I  was  requested  to  wait  their  departure.  The  lady 
represented  herself  lately  from  the  South  ;  she  gave  me  to  under- 
stand that  it  was  her  desire  to  go  abroad  and  remain  ;  that  she 
had,  or  would  have,  $500  in  gold,  and  that  she  would  not  marry 
the  best  man  on  earth.  The  evening  passed  pleasantly,  and  af- 
ter a  few  days,  I  remained  at  her  house  permanently,  and  was 
treated  like  a  gentleman.  I  offered  to  do  so  much,  she  will- 
ingly consented  to  go  as  my  pretended  wife  to  Europe,  nothing 
being  said  about  matrimony  until  later,  when  she  proposed  to  be 
united,  to  which  I  consented.  A  day  was  named,  but  I  refused, 
stating  that  a  failure  on  the  part  of  others  to  make  prompt  pay- 
ments would  cause  a  delay  in  our  union.  She  then  became  fran- 
tic, and  said  it  must  be,  if  she  died  the  next  hour.  I  suggested 
that  she  would  loan  me  a  certain  sum  of  money  ;  this  she  refused, 
and  brought  the  servant  in  to  witness  the  refusal.  However, 
we  were  married,  as  her  only  fixed  desire  seemed  to  be  to  get 
married.  The  reason  offered  to  me  was  that  she  had  taken  an 
oath  to  never  allow  a  man  to  embrace  her  unless  he  was  her 
husband  ;  and  as  that  privilege  had  been  bestowed  upon  your 
obedient  servant,  she  was,  of  course,  bound  to  marry  me,  if  I  left 
her  the  next  moment.  I  endeavored,  by  every  means  in  my  power, 
to  evade  this  mockery,  but  to  no  purpose.  We  started  for  Mon- 
treal, and  the  particulars  of  the  trip  you  no  doubt  know  all 
about.  I  have  written  Miss  —  —  of  my  desire  in  the  matter, 
and  if  she  follows  my  directions,  and  insures  me  of  safety,  I  will 
return  to  New  York  and  return  her  the  property  or  its  value  ; 
but  to  live  with  her,  'never.'  No  one  but  myself  is  concerned 
in  the  matter;  I  am  alone  responsible  for  all  that  has  transpired, 
;ind  am  willing  to  suffer  for  it  if  I  am  not  smart  enough  to  elude 
your  vigilant  detectives.  I  will  not  be  taken  alive,  and  I  warn 
any  one  who  shall  attempt  my  capture  by  force.  I  started  life 
honestly,  was  disappointed  in  my  domestic  affairs,  and  have,  I 
tear,  become  partially  insane.  T  shall  now  seek  some  other  clime 


257 

and  try  to  live  better  and  repent.  Of  '  woman,  deliver  me.1 
After  I  gather  a  few  more  facts,  I  will  communicate  again  with 
you. 

"  Respectfully, 

"  LIVINGSTONE. 
33 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

A   MODERN   KING  HENRY,   CONTINUED — His  LIFE  SKETCH — 
"  SUNDAY  MERCURY  "  PERSONALS. 

"  The  history  and  description  of  this  rascal  are  as 
follows :  He  is  known  as  John  Mallory  Cook,  alias 
Frank  Cook,  alias  Captain  Harrison,  alias  John  "Wil- 
liams, alias  Jay  Howard  Livingstone.  He  was  born  in 
New  York ;  age,  thirty-two  years ;  height,  five  feet 
eight  inches  ;  slight  build,  weighs  about  125  pounds ; 
black  mustache ;  hair,  dark ;  small,  slender  hands ;  blue 
eyes ;  skin  on  the  face  rough ;  inclined  to  stoop  in  walk- 
ing ;  cast- down  look ;  front  teeth  slighty  decayed ;  affa- 
ble manners,  and  plausible  talker. 

"  John  Mallory  Cook  has  for  the  last  ten  years  been 
mostly  living  the  life  of  a  confidence  man,  or  in  other 
words,  resorting  to  numerous  species  of  rascality  where- 
by to  gain  a  dollar.  His  family  connections  are  very 
respectable,  and  his  disgraceful  acts  from  time  to  time 
have  caused  them  much  sorrow.  He  has  been  guilty 
of  numerous  forgeries  and  thefts ;  but  bigamy  seems  to 
be  his  specialty,  he  having  no  less  than  six  wives  living. 
One,  by  his  heartless  treatment,  was  hastened  to  a  pre- 
mature grave.  The  modus  operandi  in  obtaining  vic- 
tims, was  to  insert  '  Personals '  in  the  Sunday  Mercury. 
Among  others,  there  was  one  who  answered  his  adver- 
tisements, but  was  not  easily  caught,  as  the  sequel  will 


259 

show.  It  appears  that  she  made  his  acquaintance  in 
the  following  manner :  She  wrote  him  stating  she  would 
be  pleased  to  see  him  in  her  hotel ;  he  called  at  the  ap- 
pointed hour,  and  the  interview  lasted  some  time,  she 
taking  care  to  have  some  other  friends  in  the  parlor, 
unknown  to  him  as  her  friends,  while  the  interview 
lasted.  He  spoke  of  his  being  a  miner,  of  his  wealth, 
references  as  to  facts,  and  said  he  was  staying  at  the  St 
Denis  Hotel ;  owned  two  carriages  and  two  spans  of 
splendid  horses,  for  which  he  had  paid  a  fabulous  price, 
and  as  soon  as  they  were  married  he  was  going  with  his 
new  bride  to  California, 

"  On  his  first  visit,  he  apologized  for  his  clothes  not 
being  in  the  very  latest  style,  and  also  for  having  seen 
rather  more  than  a  fair  share  of  wear.  Of  course,  this 
was  unnecessary  to  the  lady,  and  she  very  pleasantly 
begged  him  not  to  mention  such  a  frivolous  matter. 

"  The  second  interview  brought  the  same  clothes, 
and  the  same  apology.  The  third  interview,  no  apology, 
so  the  would-be-destined  bride  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  his  wardrobe  consisted  of  '  a  pair  of  spurs  and  a 
shirt  collar.' 

"  He  spoke  of  his  money,  but  could  never  get  any 
credence  for  speaking  the  truth,  and  now  she  commenced 
to  doubt  him,  and  played  her  cards  accordingly.  He 
knew  she  had  a  beautiful  wardrobe  and  some  money ; 
he  was  playing  for  a  stake.  The  lady,  to  see  if  he 
really  had  money  to  lavish,  as  he  stated,  gave  him  a 
gentle  reminder  of  certain  articles  of  value  that  would 
be  acceptable  to  her,  but  '  he  did  not  seem  to  see  it.' 
On  one  particular  day,  he  was  to  have  taken  the  lady 
out  to  Central  Park  for  a  drive,  with  his  elegant  pair  of 
bays  and  new  carriage  and  liveried  servants,  but  on 
that  same  morning  she  received  a  note  from  him  say- 


260 

ing,  that  on  going  that  morning  to  his  stables  to  give 
orders  to  his  coachman,  he  found  that  his  man  had 
driven  them  out  that  morning  for  an  airing,  and  that 
an  express  wagon  had  run  into  them  and  smashed  his 
splendid  new  carriage,  and  injured  the  horses  very 
much,  so  that  he  must  postpone  the  pleasure  of  her 
company  for  a  drive,  but  would  meet  her,  by  appoint- 
ment, at  her  apartments  that  evening. 

u  That  evening  the  lady  was  just  folding  up  a  very 
elegant  lace  shawl,  which  cost  her  $250.  When  he 
entered,  he  inquired  what  such  a  shawl  was  worth. 
She  told  him,  and  placed  it  in  a  small  box  which  be- 
longed to  it,  and  put  it  under  the  bureau.  She  did  not 
require  this  shawl  for  some  days — as  she  was  going 
into  the  country  on  a  visit — but  alas  !  when  she  looked 
for  it  again  the  shawl  was  not  there.  She  told  the 
lady  of  the  house  of  her  loss,  and  as  no  person  but  '  L. ' 
and  the  servant-girl  had  been  in  the  room,  the  poor  girl 
had  her  trunks  searched,  and  was  discharged,  although, 
of  course,  there  was  no  sign  of  her  guilt.  The  lady 
now  knows. 

"  Another  day,  just  previous  to  their  intended  mar- 
riage, and  departure  for  California,  the  lady  was  sur- 
prised to  receive  a  letter,  saying  that  a  man  named 

,  who  was  his  agent,  had  that  day  absconded  from 

the  city  with  $11,000  belonging  to  him,  and  conse- 
quently, the  trip  and  marriage  would  have  to  be  post- 
poned for  about  ten  days,  until  he  could  receive  his  re- 
mittances from  California.  The  lady  by  this  time 
knew  her  man  to  perfection,  for  he,  knowing  she  had 
money,  imagined,  perhaps,  she  would  reply,  saying : 
'  Never  mind,  I  have  money ;  you  can  repay  me  in 
California.'  But  she  always  had  kept  him  at  a  distance 
— 'where  he  would  neither  founder  nor  get  ship- 


261 

wrecked.'  Now,  she  determined  to  get  rid  of  him  en- 
tirely. He  next  wrote. to  her  saying  he  was  very  sick, 
and  asking  her  to  come  and  see  him,  but  not  at  the  St. 
Denis  Hotel,  but  a  miserable  attic  room  in  Bleecker 
street.  He  tried  to  induce  her  to  assist  him  pecuniarily. 
Although  of  a  generous  disposition,  she  did  not.  She 
then  said  that  she  was  going  away  for  a  few  months  on 
business,  and  would  return  soon,  and  by  that  time,  no 
doubt,  his  affairs  would  be  all  '  fixed,'  and  his  expected 
heavy  remittances  would  come  to  hand,  and  then  she 
would,  perhaps,  honor  him  with  her  hand. 

"  The  detectives  were  further  informed  that  he  was 
one  of  the  '  worst  beats  out,'  and  was  capable  of  the 
meanest  action.  It  appears  that  he  used  to  call  daily 
in  gentlemen's  offices,  borrowing  money,  from  one  dol- 
lar to  five  dollars,  stating  that  his  wife  was  sick,  wanted 
medicines,  had  no  food,  and  was  staying  at  a  friend's 
house.  He  had  no  money  to  pay  her  fare  home,  and, 
in  fact,  any  excuse  to  raise  a  dollar.  One  day,  after 
Livingstone  had  left  one  of  the  gentlemen's  offices,  the 
occupant  missed  his  great-coat,  which,  he  was  after- 
ward informed  by  a  person,  Livingstone  had  confessed 
to  having  stolen. 

"  He  was  convicted  for  stealing  some  goods  out  of  a 
store,  and  remanded  for  sentence,  when,  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  his  wife,  an  influential  gentleman  pro- 
ceeded to  the  court  with  the  wife,  and,  after  interview- 
ing the  Judge,  the  sentence  of  the  court  was  suspended. 

"  He  also  pretended  at  one  time  to  have  mortally 
wounded  himself  with  a  pistol  shot  at  the  Brandreth 
House,  but  took  care  only  to  make  a  small  flesh  wound 
in  the  left  arm.  When  his  friends  came,  he  pretended 
he  was  dying  ;  but  they  told  him  '  his  game  was  played 
out,'  and  only  looked  upon  him  with  disgust.  Upon 


262 

this  occasion,  he  .  sent  for  one  of  his  wives  ;  but  she, 
knowing  of  his  tricks,  did  not  go  ;  so  he  immediately 
recovered.  His  great  dodge  was  to  take  chloroform, 
when  '  entirely  busted,'  and  pretend  that  he  was  dying. 
This  he  has  done  several  times.  When  in  arrears  for 
rent  and  board,  he  is  immediately  taken  very  ill,  and 
sends  for  a  doctor,  and  screams  out  as  if  his  head  was 
being  sawed ;  so  that  by  such  means  he  sometimes  ob- 
tains sympathy,  and  remains  two  or  three  weeks  longer, 
until  they  find  him  a  '  fraud  '  and  kick  him  out.  He 
owes  about  twenty  doctor's  bills  in  this  city. 

"  He  also  gave  a  bogus  check  to  a  gentleman,  but 
for  his  wife's  sake  he  was  not  prosecuted. 

"  From  Cincinnati,  Superintendent  Warrin  learns  that 
in  1866,  Livingstone  married  in  that  place  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  prominent  merchant,  and  at  that  time  he  was 
going  by  the  name  of  Frank  Cook. 

"  Everything  appeared  right  as  far  as  could  be  ascer- 
tained by  the  parents  of  the  girl.  The  father  gave  the 
daughter  $2,500  for  the  bridal  tour,  which  was  to 
Johnstown,  Pa.,  at  which  place  he  abandoned  her,  leav- 
ing her  only  twenty  dollars,  even  taking  her  gold  watch 
and  other  little  presents  given  her  on  the  day  of  the 
wedding.  She  had  to  return  to  her  parents,  and  just 
three  weeks  after  his  marriage  with  the  lady,  his  notice 
of  marriage  with  another  young  woman  was  published 
in  a  New  York  paper.  The  young  lady  applied  to  a 
court  for  divorce,  and  obtained  it  at  once.  The  father 
of  the  young  lady  declares  'he  has  no  hesitation  in  say- 
ing that  the  man  is  one  of  the  grandest  scoundrels  in 
the  country,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  he  will  be  ar- 
rested and  put  in  prison  for  the  balance  of  his  life,  there- 
by preventing  him  from  ruining  any  others.' 

"  It  was  also  ascertained  by  the  detectives  that  one 


263 

season  he  went  to  Long  Branch,  and  hired  a  house, 
using  the  names  of  some  prominent  gentlemen  for  his 
references.  At  all  events,  by  some  means,  he  contrived 
to  get  the  house  on  rental,  it  appearing  that  the  land- 
lord was  an  Englishman,  and  had  just  returned  from 
England^  and  had  in  his  possession  a  beautiful  Paisley 
shawl,  worth  some  $400.  A  little  sweet  talk  induced 
the  gentleman  to  sell  it  to  Livingstone.  Of  course,  Liv- 
ingstone took  the  shawl,  promising  to  pay  next  day,  and 
that  was  the  last  of  the  shawl  and  Mr.  Livingstone. 

"  He  next  turned  up  in  the  army,  under  the  name  of 
Captain  Harrison,  and,  owing  to  some  of  his  rascalities, 
was  compelled  to  retire  (or  left  without  permission)  to 
parts  unknown.  He  was  at  one  time  a  correspondent 
on  a  paper,  published  in  Lafayette,  Indiana  ;  wrote  un- 
der the  nom  de  plume  of  '  Iconoclast,'  a  suitable  signa- 
ture, it  must  be  said,  when  the  character  of  the  man  is 
taken  into  consideration,  together  with  the  significance 
of  the  word. 

"  Numerous  letters  from  all  parts  of  the  country  are 
being  constantly  received  at  the  agency,  speaking  of 
the  acts  of  this  Livingstone.  A  large  number  of  letters 
of  sympathy  have  been  sent  to  the  care  of  the  police 
agency  for  the  lady  who  was  his  last  victim,  and  of 
whom  the  man  speaks  so  wrongfully  in  his  letter  to  the 
Superintendent,  published  simply  to  show  his  character. 

"  The  detectives  found  most  of  the  lady's  clothing. 
It  was  pawned  by  the  man  at  Mrs.  Lynch's,  under  the 
New  York  Hotel,  Broadway,  and  at  M.  de  Yonge's, 
Beach  street,  Boston.  This  property  has  been  restored 
to  her,  much  to  the  gratification  of  the  lady. 

"A  forged  check,  purporting  to  be  drawn  by  Mr. 
Meiggs  D.  Benjamin,  an  importer  of  this  city,  in  favor 
of  Jay  Howard  Livingstone,  on  the  Second  National 


264 

Bank  of  this  city,  for  the  sum  of  $750,  was  found  in 
an  envelope,  carefully  placed,  for  fear  of  loss,  in  the  safe 
of  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  with  Livingstone's  name  ad- 
dressed on  the  envelope.  This  was  placed  there  when 
Mr.  Livingstone  was  once  a  boarder  at  the  house  ;  and 
it  is  only  just  to  state  that  there  is  a  Mr.  Howard  Liv- 
ingstone, a  gentleman  connected  with  the  California 
press,  who  generally  boarded  at  the  Metropolitan  Ho- 
tel, and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  his  name  will  not  be  con- 
founded with  that  of  the  confidence  operator. 

"The  detectives  are  on  the  '  trail '  of  the  man,  and 
Superintendent  Warrin  is  using  his  best  endeavors  to 
arrest  him,  and  make  an  example  of  him.  The  unfor- 
tunate victims  are  '  spoiling '  for  legal  revenge,  and  his 
numerous  wives  would  gladly  conspire  to  make  his  fu- 
ture one  of  serenest  felicity.  Holders  of  bogus  and 
forged  checks,  creditors,  despoiled  hotel  proprietors, 
and  swindled  doctors,  would  be  happy  to  give  him  a 
c-ordial  reception. 

"  This,  undoubtedly,  is  an  extraordinary  case,  and, 
like  all  species  of  insane  criminality,  teaches  a  useful 
lesson,  which  the  credulous  should  not  be  slow  to  study 
and  ponder.  In  our  boarding  houses,  hotels,  and  pub- 
lic resorts,  there  is  a  large  class  of  women  who  are 
dressed  up  in  gaudy  finery  and  simulated  smiles,  mak- 
ing it  the  object  of  their  daily  lives  to  '  set  caps  for  the 
rich  Mr.  A.,'  and  by  artful  wiles  endeavor  to  consum- 
mate the  marriage  tie.  It  is  the  hope  and  pleasure  of 
their  existence  to  marry  plethoric  purses,  and  when  they 
see  a  young  man  in  elegant  attire  they  fire  their  prac- 
ticed arrows,  believing  in  a  ready  conquest  and  the  future 
delights  of  luxurious  ease.  If  these  damsels  enchant, 
marry,  and  are  suddenly  deprived  of  their  wardrobes, 
jewels,  and  happiness,  at  one  blow,  they  receive  but  a 


265 

just  recompense  for  their  ridiculous  folly.  Such  cases 
should  inspire  no  pity.  It  is  simply  the  fool  eating  of 
his  own  dish.  That  a  woman  who  makes  vain 'displays 
of  dress  and  personal  charms  can  produce  lasting 
affection  in  a  man's  heart,  is  absurd  ;  for  the  first  ele- 
ment, respect,  is  wanting  in  the  beginning ;  and  these 
fortune-hunters  who  are  married  to  men  on  a  moment's 
notice,  may  always  look  for  an  infelicitous  honeymoon, 
followed  by  a  speedy  divorce.  Here  is  a  clever  scoun- 
drel, who  with  ease  married  six  women  upon  an  imagin- 
ary fortune,  and  they  were  all  bitten.  Doubtless,  he 
could  upon  the  same  representations  marry  a  hundred 
more,  and  his  success  would  be  not  so  much  an  exam- 
ple of  his  own  wickedness,  as  a  commentary  upon  the 
female  weakness  for  Mr.  A. — '  How  much  is  he  worth  ?  ' ' 
34 


CHAPTER  L. 

MATRIMONIAL  AND  PERSONAL  BUREAUS — THEIR  HISTORY — IM- 
PORTED INFAMIES — THE  MANAGERS,  STAFF,  AND  ROOMS. 

"  My  plots  fall  short,  like  darts,  which  rash  hands  throw 
With  an  ill  aim,  and  have  to  far  to  go  ; 
Nor  can  I  long  discoveries  prevent, 
I  deal  too  much  among  the  innocent." 

Among  the  imported  institutions  of  the  metropolis, 
perhaps,  none  lead  more  to  corrupt  society,  shatter  the 
domestic  circle,  separate  children,  estrange  husbands 
and  wives,  tempt  virtue,  and  root  out  of  the  hearts  of 
the  young  and  innocent  the  good  seeds  planted  there- 
in, than  do  the  matrimonial  and  personal  bureaus,  and 
private  post-offices,  that  are  springing  up  in  all  portions 
of  the  city,  as  agencies  for  the  population  of  Pluto's 
dominions.  These  institutions  are  of  recent  establish- 
ment in  this  country,  but  have  flourished  in  European 
countries  for  years,  and  are  usually  superintended  by 
vile  conspirators,  whose  only  ambition  is  a  love  of  gain. 
To  accomplish  their  own  enrichments,  they  descend  to 
the  vilest  conspiracies  and  devices  to  entrap  their  vic- 
tims and  place  them  in  their  power.  Having  given 
the  subject  considerable  investigation,  it  is  proposed  to 
expose  the  whole  system  in  a  few  chapters,  that  the 
reader  may  be  better  acquainted  with  the  infamous  work- 
ings of  the  bureau,  and  the  sad  results  that  too  often 


267 

follow  a  too  confiding  reliance  upon  the  statement  of 
the  guilty  wretches — the  leeches — who  bleed  society, 
by  their  management 

The  matrimonial  and  personal  bureaus  are  chiefly 
located  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  near  Broadway,  and 
contiguous  to  Washington  Park.  There  are,  in  Bleecker 
street,  West  Washington  place,  Amity  street,  and  at 
all  points  in  the  Eighth  and  Fifteenth  wards,  four  or  five 
of  these  offices.  They  are  principally  conducted  by 
French  women  of  questionable  antecedents,  who  rent 
one  or  two  floors,  fit  up  a  room  on  the  lower  floor  as 
an  office,  with  private  doors,  and  another  floor  as  recep- 
tion parlors.  In  the  offices  are  arranged  tiers  of  letter 
boxes,  which  are  rented  out  at  fifty  cents  or  one  dollar 
per  month,  while  outside  on  the  street  are  locked  boxes, 
intended  for  the  patrons  of  the  institution. 

The  proprietress  of  each  establishment  keeps  con- 
stantly in  her  employ  from  two  to  four  young  girls — 
selected  for  their  shrewdness  in  deceptive  arts,  conver- 
sational powers,  and  captivating  address — and  usually 
one  or  two  young  men,  to  personate  such  characters  as 
she  may  select  for  them.  These  male  and  female  ser- 
viteurs  are  not  members  of  her  household  proper,  but 
are  usually  secured  from  adjacent  concert  saloons  and 
gambling  dens,  when  their  services  are  required,  and 
are  allowed  a  liberal  commission  on  the  business  they 
are  instrumental  in  bringing  to  the  agency. 

The  objects  of  the  bureaus  are  multifarious.  They 
profess  to  bring  together  parties  of  opposite  sexes  for 
pleasure  and  friendship ;  arrange  the  groundwork  for 
matrimonial  alliances ;  secure  rich  wives  and  husbands 
for  fortune-hunters  ;  house-keepers  and  traveling  com- 
panions for  unprincipled  villains,  who  do  not  desire 
to  be  tied  down  by  matrimonial  vows ;  young  and  in- 


268 

nocent  maidens  for  lecherous  roues,  who  desire  to  pur- 
sue a  life  of  dissipation  and  riot  at  the  expense  of  virtue 
and  morality.  The  advertising  columns  of  the  Sun- 
day papers  are  extensively  patronized  by  these  unprin- 
cipled female  hyenas,  who  delicately  extol  the  benefits 
of  their  establishments,  and  tempt  the  unsuspecting  in- 
to the  nets  so  cunningly  set  for  them.  The  following, 
clipped  from  a  city  weekly,  is  given  as  an  example  : 

In  all  large  cities,  and  especially  in  the  great  metropolis  of 
New  York,  it  is  almost  impossible  for  gentlemen  who  are  en- 
gaged in  business  from  morning  until  night,  and  strangers  who 
are  daily  arriving  in  our  city,  to  become  acquainted  with  ladies 
of  respectability  and  refinement,  for  company  and  mutual  pleas- 
ure. Appreciating,  therefore,  this  great  want  of  the  period,  the 
Personal  Agency  has  been  established,  and  we  would  respectfully 
announce  that  our  resources  are  complete,  and  that  we  can  in  all 
cases  supply  any  requirements  of  our  patrons.  Gentlemen  de- 
siring lady  companions,  or  private  friends,  will  send  age  and 
general  style  of  lady  required  ;  single  address,  with  letter  of  in- 
troduction, 50  cents.  Lists  containing  the  addresses  of  three 
ladies,  with  separate  letters  of  introduction,  $1.  We  would  also 
notify  ladies  who  desire  to  be  registered  on  our  book,  to  send 
full  personal  description,  and  inclose  50  cents.  Ladies  thus 
registered,  are  entitled  to  any  and  all  introductions  they  require. 
We  will  not  remove  from  our  present  location,  as  we  had  antici- 
pated, but  will  continue  to  transact  our  business  through  No.  ~ 
Amity  street,  and  we  need  hardly  intimate  to  the  public,  that 
we  are  the  only  legitimate  agency  in  New  York  that  properly 
supplies  the  exigences  of  the  period. 

Caution — We  do  not  pretend  to  be  a  "  matrimonial  bureau," 
for  they  all  prove  to  be  humbugs,  we  merely  furnish  lists  and 
introductory  letters  to  our  patrons,  who  can  use  their  own  dis- 
cretion in  subsequently  cultivating  each  other's  society,  for  mu- 
tual pleasure  or  friendship.  Address  all  letters  to, 

PERSONAL  AGENCY. 

Having  received  a  visit  from  some  unsuspecting  vic- 
tim, who  has  read  the  above,  or  a  similar  advertise- 


269 

ment,  and  deposited  the  "  introduction  fee,"  the  pro- 
prietress at  once  sets  to  work  to  surround  her  victim, 
especially  if  she  be  an  unsuspecting  girl,  unused  to  the 
tricks  and  devices  of  New  York  swindlers,  with  a  net- 
work of  mystery.  She  glowingly  portrays  to  her  the 
appearance  and  worldly  prospects  of  one  of  her  gentle- 
men patrons,  who,  having  just  arrived  from  Europe, 
has  no  means  of  making  acquaintances,  but  desires  an 
introduction  to  some  accomplished  young  lady,  upon 
whom  he  can  lavish  a  portion  of  his  fortune,  and  to 
whose  recreation  he  can  devote  his  leisure.  The  cun- 
ning woman  will  add,  confidentially,  that  her  patron  is 
a  wealthy  gentleman,  traveling  incog,  whose  sole  object, 
she  has  no  doubt,  is  to  secure  a  beautiful  American 
wife.  The  ambition  of  her  auditor  is  aroused,  and  an 
interview  is  promised — the  Madame  hinting  that  she 
will  expect  an  additional  fee  of  ten  or  twenty  dollars 
should  the  acquaintance  be  mutually  pleasant  A 
time  is  set  for  a  formal  introduction,  and  at  the  stated 
hour  the  victim  takes  a  seat  in  Madame  H.'s  parlor. 
Madame,  who  has  selected  her  most  fascinating  gam- 
bler to  personate  the  distinguished  foreign  traveler,  in- 
troduces him ;  there  is  a  long  interview,  and  appoint- 
ments for  others  at  a  future  time  at  the  same  place,  and 
by  degrees  the  unsophisticated  maiden  is  led  on,  step 
by  step,  until  she  is  in  the  absolute  power  of  the  plot- 
ters who  surround  her.  Madame  H.,  after  the  first  or 
second  interview,  succeeds  in  drawing  from  the  young 
girl  an  additional  fee,  and  her  male  agent  not  infre- 
quently effects  the  ruin  of  his  victim,  who  pays  for  her 
own  pollution. 

The  same  mode  of  operation  is  pursued  with  gentle- 
men, who  are  made  to  bleed  handsomely  for  an  intro- 
duction to  one  of  Madame  H.'s  painted  syrens  from 


270 

the  concert  saloons,  who  are  not  infrequently  palmed 
off  upon  them  as  a  Southern  heiress  of  distinguished 
family  connections. 

Instances  are  known  to  the  writer  where  gentlemen 
have  paid  as  high  as  five  hundred  dollars  for  such  in- 
troductions that  they  could  have  secured  by  stepping 
down  into  a  Broadway  concert  saloon  and  breaking  a 
bottle  of  wine,  any  night  in  the  week,  or  patronizing 
the  champagne  vaults  of  one  of  the  gilded  saloons  in 
Greene  or  Crosby  streets,  at  an  expense  of  four  dollars. 

About  two  months  ago,  an  Englishman  sojourning 
in  the  city,  with  more  money  than  brains,  paid  to  the 
keeper  of  an  office  near  Washington  Park,  one  hun- 
dred dollars  for  an  introduction  to  a  woman  who,  a 
week  later,  robbed  him  of  $1,000  by  means  of  the  panel 
dodge,  at  a  house  in  Third  avenue,  near  Thirteenth 
street 

It  is  not,  however,  alone  by  arranging  interviews  and 
securing  heavy  fees,  that  these  pests  and  impostors 
swell  up  their  bank  accounts.  They  are  avaricious 
and  unprincipled,  and  hesitate  at  nothing  to  secure 
money  from  their  victims  of  both  sexes.  Attached  to 
nearly  every  agency,  are  a  number  of  male  hangers-on, 
who  are  in  partnership  with  tthe  proprietress,  and  who 
make  a  sumptuous  living  by  black-mailing  and  secur- 
ing evidence  for  unprincipled  divorce  lawyers.  They 
call  themselves  detectives.  Their  modus  op&randi  is  to 
watch  about  the  doors  of  these  agencies  for  their  pat- 
rons, many  of  whom  are  married  men  of  wealth  and 
standing,  who  have  not  forgotten  their  youthful  follies. 
When  any  of  these  call  at  the  bureaus,  one  of  these 
prying  spies  is  always  near  to  track  him  to  his  home 
and  discover  his  name.  He  immediately  communi- 
cates with  Madame  H.,  who  posts  him  upon  the  time 


set  for  the  next  interview  in  her  parlor ;  he  is  quietly 
secreted  in  an  adjoining  room,  where  he  can  hear  every 
word  uttered  between  their  victim  and  his  lady  acquaint- 
ance, and  should  they  adjourn  to  a  furnished-room 
house,  the  detective  usually  is  a  spectator  of  all  the 
incidents  occurring  within  the  secrecy  of  the  chamber, 
the  charming  Miss  Fannie  De  Lima,  of  New  Orleans, 
(from  a  Bowery  concert  saloon)  being  in  league  with 
the  madame  and  the  detective.  Having  secured  the 
evidence  of  "lawyer  Jones'  "  unfaithfulness  to  his  wife, 
the  next  step  is  to  make  money  thereby.  The  following 
day,  he  receives  a  visit  from  the  divorce  detective,  who 
coolly  informs  him  of  all  the  incidents  of  the  previous 
night's  adventure,  and  demands  from  two  to  ten  hun- 
dred dollars  as  the  price  of  his  silence.  A  domestic 
flare-up,  a  divorce  suit,  a  separation,  prospective  scan- 
dal, and  children  torn  from  their  parents,  are  the  pic- 
tures presented  to  the  vision  of  poor  Jones,  who,  if  he 
has  any  regard  for  society,  will  cheerfully  negotiate 
for  secrecy,  and  in  future  give  personal  bureaus  a  wide 
berth.  In  some  instances  the  victim  refuses  to  be 
black-mailed,  when  the  information  is  placed  in  the 
hands  of  an  unscrupulous  divorce  lawyer,  through  whose 
instrumentality  it  comes  into  the  possession  of  the  in- 
jured wife,  who  pays  liberally  for  it — the  lawyer  shar- 
ing the  spoils  with  the  proprietress  of  the  bureau,  the 
detective,  and  the  cunning,  characterless  female,  who 
woos  the  victim  to  his  ruin.  The  lawyer  usually  suc- 
ceeds in  obtaining  a  large  additional  fee  for  conducting 
a  suit  for  divorce,  and  the  public,  who  read  the  details 
of  the  disgusting  evidence,  little  suspect  that  all  of  it 
was  secured  by  these  plotting  conspirators. 


CHAPTEK  LI. 

WESLEY  H.  COURTNEY  IN  SEARCH  OF  INFORMATION — A  VISIT 
TO  MADAME  H. — AN  INTERESTING  INTERVIEW. 

In  February  last,  a  literary  friend  of  the  writer,  who 
may  be  called  Wesley  H.  Courtney,  who  is  collecting 
material  regarding  some  of  the  obnoxious  institutions 
with  which  the  city  is  cursed,  determined  to  investigate 
personally  these  festers  upon  the  fair  fame  of  the  me- 
tropolis. With  this  object  in  view,  he  visited  Madame 

H.,  in  W street.      His  adventures  can  be  better 

described  in  his  own  language  : 

"  Calling  at  the  number  indicated,  I  found  the  front 
door  ajar,  and  in  answer  to  a  gentle  knock  on  a  door 
on  the  left,  it  was  opened,  and  I  was  shown  by  a  ser- 
vant into  a  small,  plainly  furnished  office  on  the  first 
floor.  A  female,  of  middle  age,  sat  by  a  table  sur- 
rounded by  letters  and  books.  On  one  wall  was  a  row 
of  letter  boxes,  on  the  other  pictures,  and  on  a  desk 
near  by  some  circulars  regarding  her  employment  office, 
to.  which  the  names  of  some  of  our  best  citizens,  in- 
cluding Mayor  Hall,  were  appended  as  references. 

"  She  arose  to  receive  me  as  I  entered,  bowed  politely 
and  requested  me  to  be  seated.  Madame  H.'s  ap- 
pearance was  quite  prepossessing,  and  I  at  once  felt  at 
ease  in  her  presence. 


273 

"  •  What  can  I  do  for  you,  sir  ?  '  Madame  asked,  in  a 
business-like  manner. 

''Seating  myself,  I  spoke  with  considerable  self- 
possession  :  '  I  have  just  arrived  in  the  city  from  the 
South,  and  intend  to  spend  the  winter  here ;  I  saw 
your  advertisement,  and  called  to  see  if  you  can  aid  me 
in  making  the  acquaintance  of  some  refined  lady  of 
respectability,  not  over  twenty-five,  with  a  view  to 
amusement,  and  if  mutually  satisfactory,  perhaps,  mat- 
rimony.' 

" '  Oh ! '  exclaimed  the  scheming  woman.  '  I  see  ; 
you  have  no  letters  of  introduction  that  will  give  you 
the  entree  into  society  ?  ' 

" '  None,  Madame,'  I  said,  meekly. 

" '  That  is  v-e-r-y  unfortunate ! '  she  continued.  '  I  fear 
I  can  not  aid  you,  unless  you  can  convince  me  of  your 
honorable  intentions.  I  might  compromise  myself,  you 
see.  My  business  has  achieved  quite  a  reputation  for 
effecting  excellent  and  happy  marriages.  During  the 
past  six  months,  I  have  been  instrumental  in  bringing 
about  over  fifty  unions  between  parties.  Over  a  dozen 
of  them  were  between  persons  worth  several  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  One  poor,  but  worthy,  English  gen- 
tleman called,  paid  me  my  fee,  and  in  two  months  he 
married  a  lady  residing  in  Brooklyn,  who  has  half  a  mil- 
lion in  her  own  right  A  young  governess,  whose  pa- 
rents reside  in  France,  I  succeeded  in  marrying  to  a 
wealthy  planter  in  Macon,  Georgia.  I  could  give  you 
many  instances  of  this  kind,  but  I  have  to  be  very 
careful  always  in  not  compromising  myself.  I  effected 
an  introduction  between  a  Prussian  Baron  and  a  Miss 
S.,  of  Lexington  avenue ;  they  were  married ;  he  proved 
to  be  a  brute  and  impostor ;  beat  and  deserted  the  dear 
35 


274 

child,  and  cheated  me  out  of  five  hundred  dollars  he 
agreed  to  pay  me  for  my  services.' 

•" '  Well,  Madame,'  I  spoke  with  assumed  candor, '  all 
I  can  do  is  to  state  truthfully  who  I  am.  My  name  is 
Wesley  H.  Courtney  ;  I  am  a  native  of  Louisiana ; 
own  a  large  plantation  on  the  Teche,  and  am  worth 
about  $150,000.  I  am  sincere  in  my  desire  to  marry  : 

can  refer  you  to  Rev.  Mr.  -  — ,  of Church,  New 

Orleans,  and  General  H H ,  of  Mobile,  for  evi- 
dence of  my  respectability.  I  will  pay  you  any  rea- 
sonable fee  on  the  day  of  my  betrothal.  Is  that  satis- 
factory ? ' 

"  '  Quite  so,'  said  my  agent  '  What  style  of  a  part- 
ner meets  your  fancy  ?  ' 

"  '  I  desire  a  lady  about  five  feet  four  inches  in  height ; 
not  more  than  twenty -five ;  light  hair ;  blue  eyes ; 
blonde  complexion ;  the  ideal  of  health,  and  beautiful. 
She  must  be  well  educated,  and  especially  proficient  in 
music.  Her  disposition  must  be  lively,  and  wit  would 
be  quite  a  desideratum.' 

" '  How  very  fortunate  it  is  that  you  called  at  the 
right  time.  Only  last  week,  a  lady  answering  this  de- 
scription commissioned  me  to  represent  her.  Let  us 
see,'  she  remarked,  opening  a  register  and  reading  from 
it,  '  Her  name  is  Laura  de  Cardock,  twenty -five,  Vir- 
ginia, and  a  widow.  Have  you  any  objection  to  a 
widow  ? ' 

" '  Not  in  the  least  Can  you  vouch  for  her  respect- 
ability ?  ' 

" '  I  can.  I  have  seen  her  family  papers.  She  is  a 
descendant  of  the  Randolph  family  ;  was  the  wife  of  a 
Colonel  in  General  Lee's  army,  by  whom  she  had  a 
child.  Both  are  dead.  She  has  property  on  the  James 
river  worth  $1 00,000. 1 


275 

"  '  That  is  sufficient,'  I  said.     '  When  can  I  see  her  ? ' 
" '  Well,  sir.  call  next  Tuesday  week  coming,  and  I 

will  have  arranged  the  preliminaries.      You.  know  I 

must  act  carefully,  and  make  full  inquiry  regarding 

you.' 

"  Handing  her  a  card  prepared  for  the  occasion,  she 

took    my   'pedigree'    and   description,    and    politely 

showed  me  out" 


CHAPTER  ML 

LAURA  DE  CARDOCK — A  MEETING  BY  APPOINTMENT — MADAME 
H.'s  PARLOR — INCIDENTS  OP  THE  VISIT — A  MEMBER  OF 
THE  STOCK  EXCHANGE. 

"  I  must  admit  that  I  left  the  presence  of  Madame 
H.  suspicious  of  her  profession  as  to  Laura  de  Cardock, 
the  fascinating  Confederate  widow  ;  but  I  had  attempted 
a  role  that  I  was  determined  to  play  to  the  end,  at  any 
hazard.  With  considerable  anxiety,  I  awaited  the 
evening  that  was  to  bring  Wesley  H.  Courtney  and 
Laura  de  Cardock  face  to  face.  It  came  in  the  course 
of  events,  and,  disguising  myself,  so  that  any  friend  who 
might  be  in  the  neighborhood  would  not  observe  me 
enter  premises  of  so  suspicious  a  character,  I  sought 
the  door.  My  application  for  admission  was  responded 
to  by  Madame,  in  person,  who  with  a  bland  smile  es- 
corted me  to  an  elegantly  furnished  parlor  on  a  floor 
other  than  the  one  where  I  had  been  received  on  my 
previous  visit  On  entering  it,  I  observed  a  lady 
dressed  ready  to  go  out,  sitting  in  whispered  conversa- 
tion with  an  elderly  gentleman,  whom  I  recognized  as  a 
prominent  member  of  the  stock  exchange.  They  sat 
on  a  sofa  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  and  as  the  lady's 
back  was  turned  toward  me,  I  was  unable  to  scan  her 
features.  Madame  led  me  to  a  seat  at  the  opposite  end 
of  the  room,  and  informed  me  that  the  widow  had  not 


277 

yet  arrived.  She  cautioned  me  to  be  very  careful  in 
my  first  interview,  as  the  widow  was  extremely  diffident, 
and  by  no  means  to  shock  her  with  any  appearances  of 
'love  at  first  sight'  This  caution  was  unnecessary. 
A  moment  after,  the  bell  rang,  and  Madame  arose  hur- 
riedly, and  with  the  remark :  '  That  is  probably  the 
widow, "disappeared.  As  she  closed  the  door  of  the 
parlor  after  her,  the  only  lady  in  the  room  turned  to 
the  light ;  I  saw  her  face,  and  started  perceptibly.  In 
those  features  I  beheld  Carrie  Belnap,  a  confidence  wo- 
man, whom  I  had  seen  several  times  arraigned  at  Jeffer- 
son Market  and  the  Tombs,  on  the  charge  of  extorting 
money,  and  once  on  the  charge  of  being  caught  in 
flagrante  delicto,  with  a  male  companion,  in  a  Bleecker 
street  house  of  pleasure.  A  few  seconds  after,  she 
arose,  and,  accompanied  by  her  male  attendant,  left  the 
parlor.  This  circumstance  placed  me  at  once  on  my 
guard,  and  by  the  time  Madame  ushered  in  my  widow 
friend,  I  was  prepared  to  hear  much  and  speak  but  lit- 
tle. The  door  finally  opened  again,  and  Madame  H. 
entered,  preceded  by  a  lady,  whose  figure  was  all  that 
my  fancy  painted  it. 

" '  Mr.  Courtney,  Mrs.  Cardock,  a  friend  of  mine,'  were 
all  the  words  spoken  by  the  subtle  mistress  of  the  es- 
tablishment, as  she  drew  up  a  heavily-carved  chair  for 
my  distinguished  vis-a-vis,  who  accepted  it  with  a  quiet, 
easy  grace. 

"  We  chatted  for  a  few  minutes  on  the  weather,  and 
other  common  topics,  in  the  Madame's  presence.  Finally, 
the  agent  arose,  with  the  remark  : 

"  '  I  must  leave  you  now,  my  friends.  You  both  de- 
sire this  interview,  and  I  have  performed  my  full  duty. ' 

"The  Madame  disappeared,  and  we  renewed  our  con- 
versation. I  found  my  newly-made  acquaintance  ex- 


278 

ceedingly  well-informed  on  all  matters  of  music,  the 
drama,  art,  and  literature,  and  before  I  had  conversed 
fifteen  minutes,  fully  made  up  my  mind  that  she  had 
evidently  been  reared  in  affluence,  if  not  in  luxury. 
The  widow  de  Cardock  was  a  blonde  of  medium  height ; 
had  a  rich  treasure  of  natural  hair  ;  blue  eyes,  that  spoke 
of  innocence  and  affection ;  a  figure  of  excellent  pro- 
portions ;  hands  delicately  formed,  and  devoid  of  all 
ornaments  except  a  wedding  ring  and  a  solitaire  dia- 
mond of  small  size.  She  was  indeed  beautiful,  and 
one  well -calculated  to  impress  a  man  with  admiration — 
if  that  one  was  susceptible  of  easy  conquest 

"  I  was  the  first  to  broach  the  object  that  had  brought 
us  together.  The  widow  dropped  her  eyes  to  the  Brus- 
sels carpet,  upon  which  she  beat  a  tattoo  with  one  of  her 
little  feet,  and  blushed  coyly.  I  confided  to  her  my 
circumstances  in  life,  as  proclaimed  to  Madame  H.,  and 
informed  her,  with  apparent  candor,  that  my  object  was 
simply  to  secure  a  devoted  heart  that  would  share  my 
loneliness  away  down  upon  the  Teche ;  that  from  our 
short  acquaintance  I  was  favorably  impressed  with  her, 
and  if  I  was  not  distasteful  to  her,  I  should  be  de- 
lighted with  a  more  extended  acquaintance. 

"  The  widow  de  Cardock  seemed  very  much  dis- 
turbed, but  finally  admitted  that  in  me  she  had  not 
been  disappointed.  Since  the  death  of  her  dear  hus- 
band, who  fell  in  battle  for  '  our  lost  and  holy  cause,' 
she  had  often  felt  the  need  of  a  friendly  arm  to  lean 
upon,  and  a  sympathetic  heart  to  confer  with,  and  share 
her  joys  and  sorrows,  and  more  stuff  of  the  same  senti- 
mental character.  She  did  not  care  for  wealth,  for  of 
that  she  had  a  sufficiency  for  all  purposes  ;  but  in  her 
heart  there  was  a  void  left  by  Colonel  de  Cardock's 
sudden  taking  off,  that  some  deserving  one  might  fill ; 


279 

and  while  she  shuddered  at  this  mode  of  forming  an 
acquaintance,  it  was  the  only  one  open  to  her  in  this 
great  city,  where  she  had  no  acquaintances.  She  would 
be  pleased  to  continue  our  acquaintance  until  we  knew 
each  other  better,  and  if  love  came  of  it,  submit  to  fate. 
The  interview  lasted  for  nearly  an  hour,  and  termin- 
ated with  an  exchange  of  references.  As  she  arose  to 
depart,  I  asked  permission  to  escort  her  to  her  home, 
but  she  politely  declined  my  offer — asserting  that  she 
had  to  do  some  shopping  on  Broadway.  I  remained 
after  her  departure,  and  on  again  meeting  Madame  H., 
expressed  myself  infatuated  with  my  acquaintance. 

"  I  should  state  here,  that  before  our  separation,  an- 
other interview  was  arranged  five  days  hence — the  in- 
terval to  be  spent  in  inquiring  into  each  other's  ante- 
cedents and  character. 

"  On  a  card,  she  wrote  the  names  of  some  gentlemen, 
as  references.  Among  them,  was  that  of  Dr.  B.,  of 
Richmond,  a  friend  of  mine.  I  immediately  resolved 
to  write  him,  and  secure  his  good  offices  in  clearing  up 
the  mystery  that  surrounded  the  blonde  widow  of 
Amity  street  The  resolution  was  no  sooner  formed 
than  executed,  and  the  next  mail  carried  a  letter  to  him, 
in  which  I  stated  that  I  had  some  business  transactions 
in  the  monetary  line  with  Mrs.  de  Cardock,  and  desired 
to  ascertain  all  particulars  as  to  her  standing,  socially 
and  financially,  before  closing  the  negotiations.  I  care- 
fully refrained  from  even  intimating  that  any  of  the 
negotiations  related  to  matters  of  love. 

"  Five  days  rolled  away,  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  I  again  met  Laura  in  Madame  H.'s  parlor. 
My  reception  by  her  was  characterized  by  unusual 
warmth,  and  I  imagined  a  glimmer  of  zeal,  or  assumed 
affection,  was  thrown  into  it. 


280 

"  '  Mr.  Courtney,'  said  she,  in  a  frank  manner,  '  I  have 
made  full  investigations  regarding  you,  and  I  find  you 
are  all  you  represent  yourself  to  be.  It  gives  me  un- 
feigned pleasure  to  state  it,  for  I  must  confess  to  you 
now,  that  at  our  first  interview  I  was  suspicious  of  your 
intentions,  and  feared  you  might  be  a  gambler,  or  a  man 
of  equally  bad  antecedents.  I  am  now  satisfied  that 
my  fears  were  unfounded,  and  offer  you  my  congratu- 
lations upon  the  results.' 

'"I  am  exceedingly  pleased,'  I  replied,  'that  such 
is  the  case,  and  trust  the  same  good  report  may  be 
made  of  you.  I  have  written  to  Dr.  B.  and  others,  and 
hope  to  receive  answers  in  a  few  days,  as  I  am  anxious 
to  return  South  within  a  month  to  complete  arrange- 
ments to  put  in  the  spring  crop.  I  hope  to  have  the 
pleasure  to  take  back  with  me  a  beautiful  wife  to  adorn 
my  manor  on  the  Teche,'  I  added,  with  a  deceptive 
smile,  that  Laura  failed  to  observe,  and  accepted  as  a 
genuine  compliment. 

"  '  I  don't  know  about  that,  sir,  I  am  opposed  to  mar- 
rying in  haste  and  repenting  at  leisure.  But,  maybe 
you  can  persuade  me  to  take  a  trip  South — for  the 
benefit  of  my  health,  eh  ?  Is  the  climate  salubrious 
down  there  ?  I  have  never  been  further  South  than 
Florida,  and  was  much  pleased  with  it ' 

"  I  replied  to  her  question  by  eloquently  depicting  the 
beauties  of  Southern  plantation-life,  and  the  excel- 
lences of  the  Orulf  breezes  wafted  inland.  Laura  list- 
ened attentively,  her  face  animated  with  pleasure  at  the 
pictures  portrayed,  and  then  she  spoke  in  soft  musical 
accents : 

" '  Yes,  sir,  I  love  the  country.  Several  years  of  my 
life  were  spent  on  a  Virginia  plantation,  and  were  years 
that  I  look  back  upon  with  longings  for  their  duplica- 


281 

tion.  Do  you  know,  sir,  I  fancy  I  would  like  to  real- 
ize Gay's  lines.'  And  Laura's  eyes  shown  with  en- 
thusiasm as  she  eloquently  declaimed : 

"  O,  happy  plains  !  remote  from  war's  alarms, 
And  all  the  ravages  of  hostile  arms ; 
And  happy  shepherds,  who,  secure  from.fear, 
On  open  downs  preserve  your  fleecy  care  ; 
Whose  spacious  barns  groan  with  increasing  store, 
And  whirling  flails  disjoint  the  cracking  floor ; 
No  barbarous  soldier,  bent  on  cruel  spoil, 
Spreads  desolation  o'er  your  fertile  soil ; 
No  trampling  steed  lays  waste  the  ripen'd  grain  ; 
Nor  crackling  fires  devour  the  promis'd  gain; 
No  flaming  heavens  cast  their  blaze  afar, 
The  dreadful  signal  of  invasive  war  ; 
No  trumpets'  clangor  wounds  the  mother's  ear, 
And  calls  the  lover  from  his  swooning  fair." 

"  '  O,  sir!  I  have  tasted  the  bitter  fruits  of  war,'  she 
continued,  after  a  pause,  and  know  how  to  appreciate 
such  scenes  as  Gay  portrays.  Pardon  my  enthusiasm 
of  the  moment,  it  can  not  be  helped.  I  am  sure  I 
.should  be  happy  in  the  country  with  one  I  could  de- 
votedly love  and  honor. ' 

"  Here,  our  interview  was  interrupted  by  Madame 
H.,  who  ushered  into  the  parlor  another  of  her  patrons, 
who  seemed  to  await  the  arrival  of  some  one.  Again 
I  importuned  my  fair  companion  to  permit  me  to  escort 
her  to  her  residence,  but  it  was  of  no  avail.  She  not 
only  formally  refused,  on  the  .plea  of  desiring  to  have 
an  interview  with  Madame  H.,  but  declined  to  inform 
.me  of  her  residence,  asserting  as  a  reason  for  declining 
the  latter  request,  that  our  acquaintance  did  not  yet 
justify  it,  and  I  might  possibly  venture  to  call  at  her 
home.  Foiled  by  a  cunning  woman,  I  submitted  with 
the  best  grace  possible,  and  after  arranging  for  another 
meeting,  four  days  after,  took  my  leave  of  the  premises. 
36 


282 

Still,  T  lurked  in  the  neighborhood  for  an  hour,  re- 
solved to  follow  Laura  to  her  residence.  But  she  came 
not,  and  I  left  chagrined  and  indignant' 


CHAPTER  LIII. 

A  LETTER  PROM  RICHMOND — AT  THE  OPERA — LAURA  EXPOSED 
— NEGOTIATIONS  ENDED — A  SCENE  AT  PONCHON'S. 

"  A  few  days  later,  I  received  a  letter  from  my  friend 
B.,  in  which  he  spoke  in  terms  of  praise  of  the  widow 
de  Cardock,  whom  he  had  known  before  her  marriage. 
He  represented  her  as  the  daughter  of  an  ex-Senator, 
who  had  married  Colonel  de  Cardock,  and  closed  by 
stating  that  only  a  few  days  before  the  receipt  of  my 
note  he  had  met  her  at  a  party  given  by  one  of  his 
friends  in  Manchester ;  that  she  was  quite  wealthy,  and 
rumor  had  her  betrothed  to  a  mutual  friend  of  ours, 
who  had  won  some  distinction  in  the  army. 

;'  The  reception  of  this  note  decided  me  in  my  sus- 
picions. I  had,  from  the  first,  suspected  that  the  beau- 
tiful widow  was  an  adventuress,  whose  representations 
were  false ;  but  when  I  learned  from  the  letter  that  she 
was  in  Manchester,  I  was  satisfied  that  my  protege  was 
a  bogus  Laura  de  Cardock,  who,  knowing  the  history 
of  the  genuine  one,  had  assumed  her  name.  I  was  not 
long  in  deciding  upon  my  future  course  of  action,  which 
was  to  continue  the  acquaintance  so  singularly  formed, 
and  if  possible  discover  something  that  would  lead  to 
the  identity  of  the  strange  widow. 

"  On  the  evening  named  for  our  third  interview,  I 
proceeded  to  Madame  H.'s  parlors,  and  waited  a  few 


284 

minutes  ere  Laura  appeared,  who  greeted  me  with  un- 
usual affability.  Among  her  first  inquries,  was  : 

" '  Have  my  references  proved  satisfactory,  Mr.  Court- 
ney?' 

"  '  Eminently  so  !  '  I  responded,  with  well-assumed 
delight ;  '  I  will  read  you  one  of  the  replies.  A  por- 
tion of  the  note  is  private.'  Laura  was  all  attention  in 
an  instant.  Drawing  out  Dr.  B.'s  letter,  I  read  it 
through,  carefully  suppressing  the  reference  to  the  ap- 
pearance in  Manchester  of  the  widow  de  Cardock,  and 
at  its  close,  arose,  and  gallantly  taking  her  hand,  re- 
marked : 

"  '  And  now,  Laura — let  ine  call  you  by  that  simple 
name — I  am  satisfied.  In  you,  I  have  found  a  jewel. 
Let  us  know  each  other  better.  I  do  not  like  the  sur- 
roundings of  this  place,  it  is  too  public ;  let  us  go  to 
some  theater ;  I  have  tickets  for  the  Twelve  Temptations. 
Will  you  accompany  me  ?  Can  you  trust  rne  ?  ' 

"  Her  answer  was  a  pressure  of  the  hand,  and  the  sim- 
ple words : 

"'Mr.  Courtney,  I  will.' 

"  We  were  alone  in  the  parlor,  no  spying  eyes  were 
upon  us ;  I  must  confess  that  my  lips  belied  my  feelings 
within  the  next  few  seconds,  and  a  thrill  of  pleasure 
seemed  to  possess  the  handsome  widow.  Taking  her 
by  the  hand,  I  led  her  out  of  the  lighted  parlor,  and 
half  an  hour  after  we  were  auditors  at  the  Opera  House, 
corner  of  Twenty-third  street  and  Eighth  avenue.  The 
performance  over,  we  made  our  exit.  I  was  determined 
that  Laura  de  Cardock  should  not  escape  me  this  time, 
and  that  the  night  should  terminate  our  matrimonial 
negotiations.  Calling  a  carriage,  I  placed  her  within 
it,  and  whispered  to  the  driver :  '  corner  of  Fifteenth 
street  and  Sixth  avenue,  Ponchoris  refreshment  rooms.' 


285 

"  A  few  moments  later,  the  carriage  stopped. 

"  '  Where  are  we,  Mr.  Courtney  ?  '  she  inquired. 

"  '  I  have  stopped  for  supper ;  let  us  go  in,'  I  remarked. 

"  Laura  permitted  me  to  escort  her  to  the  gilded 
saloon,  where,  at  the  desk,  I  ordered  private  supper- 
rooms,  to  which  I  escorted  my  charge.  A  waiter  an- 
swered our  summons,  and  supper  was  spread.  At  its 
conclusion,  I  led  Laura  to  a  sofa. 

" '  Mrs.  de  Cardock '  I  remarked,  throwing  into  my 
tone  some  severity,  '  the  time  has  come  for  me  to  make 
you  aware  of  certain  facts  that  have  come  to  my  knowl- 
edge that  seriously  jeopardize  our  relations.' 

"  Laura  betrayed  alarm.     I  continued  : 

"  '  The  other  evening,  I  read  you  only  a  portion  of 
the  letter  from  Dr.  B.  There  it  is,  read  it' 

"  She  took  it  mechanically,  and  perused  it 

" '  Well,  sir,  what  does  that  mean  ?  '  she  inquired, 
with  assumed  hauteur. 

"  '  It  means  this,  Madame,  that  Mrs.  de  Cardock  is  in 
Virginia,  and  that  you  are  a  fraud,  a  bogus  imitation, 
endeavoring  to  play  an  infamous  part  at  the  expense  of 
her  fair  fame.  I  have  found  you  out  in  time.  Now, 
tell  me  who  you  are,  or  I  shall  call  in  an  officer  and  have 
you  arrested  as  an  impostor.  You  may  cry  out,  but  it 
will  do  no  good  !  On  the  box  with  my  driver  is  a  de- 
tective, who  knows  your  whole  history.  Confess  your 
infamy  at  onca' 

"  Laura  arose,  and  in  her  eyes  I  saw  a  gleam  of  de- 
fiance. 

'• '  How  dare  you  talk  so  to  me  ?  '  she  asked.  '  You 
mistake  your  person.' 

"  '  No,  I  do  not  It  is  needless  for  you  to  assume  a 
virtuous  indignity.  Confess  quickly  the  whole  details 
of  your  connection  with  Madame  H.,  or  I  will  turn  you 


286 

over  to  the  police.    Confess,  or  1  shall  wring  the  secret 
out  of  you.' 

"She  sank  down  upon  the  sofa  and  feigned  illness. 
An  application  of  water  outwardly,  and  a  glass  of  wine 
inwardly,  revived  her. 

"  '  0,  spare  me,  sir,  and  I  will  tell  you  all.  I  am  not 
Laura  de  Cardock,  my  name  is  Henrietta  Bronson.  I 
am  in  the  employ  of  Madame  H.,  to  personate  such 
characters  as  she  may  order.  I  would  not  willingly  de- 
ceive you,  but  I  must  make  a  living,  and  Madame  re- 
munerates me  handsomely.' 

"  '  And  who  are  you  ?  '  I  asked.  '  Henrietta  Bronson 
is  rather  an  indefinite  explanation.' 

"  '  I  used  to  be  a  lady's  maid,  and  traveled  exten- 
sively in  Europe.  Latterly,  before  connecting  myself 
with  this  woman,  I  was  in  a  concert  saloon  in  Broad- 
way. O,  sir,  don't  force  me  to  tell  how  I  came  there ; 
make  me  not  confess  my  own  shame.' 

"  The  girl  spoke  so  earnestly  that  I  was  overcome 
by  her  distress. 

"  '  Collect  yourself,  Henrietta,  I  have  been  too  harsh. 
I  will  not  require  you  to  recall  unpleasant  memories. 
But  tell  me,  truly,  all  you  know  about  this  bureau. 
How  is  it  conducted,  and  for  what  purpose  ?  '  I  asked, 
coaxingly. 

"  She  lifted  her  expressive  eyes  to  mine,  and,  as  she 
spoke,  I  could  read  the  truth  in  every  word. 

" '  It  was  established  for  many  infamous  purposes. 
In  the  first  place,  Madame  supplies  gentlemen  with 
lady  acquaintances  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period.  She 
inveigles  girls  m  her  meshes,  and  furnishes  them  to  the 
keepers  of  places  of  bad  repute,  for  which  she  receives 
a  handsome  remuneration.  Then  she  is  a  female  de- 
tective in  the  interest  of  the  law  firm  of  Catchem  & 


287 

Beatem.  who  obtain  divorces.  Madame  inserts  attract- 
ive advertisements  in  the  papers,  receives  answers,  and., 
personating  a  young  lady,  conducts  a  correspondence, 
which  usually  results  in  an  interview.  When  an  inter- 
view is  arranged,  she  delegates  me  or  some  other  of  her 
agents  to  act  as  the  female  principal  The  secret  usu- 
ally is,  that  the  married  gentleman  falls  a  victim  to  her 
plots,  and  the  first  thing  he  realizes  is  that  a  divorce  suit 
has  been  commenced  against  him,  and  all  the  evidence 
of  his  irregularities,  secured  by  Madame,  stares  him  in 
the  face.  She  frequently  involves  respectable  marned 
men  by  similar  means,  and  in  the  event  of  no  suit  for 
divorce  resulting,  her  agents  succeed  in  wringing  hush 
money  from  her  victims  of  both  sexes.  You  will  say 
that  it  is  an  infamous  business,  but  my  part  in  it  is  only 
of  a  secondary  character.  Now,  you  know  all,  sir ;  are 
you  satisfied  ? : 

"  '  Perfectly.  Henrietta,  but  tell  me  how  you  came  in 
possession  of  Mrs.  de  Cardock's  antecedents  ?  '  I  asked. 

"  '  It  is  very  simple.  Madame  and  she  were  fellow- 
boarders  for  a  few  weeks  at  Long  Branch.  Mrs.  de 
Cardock  was  communicative ;  confided  to  her  the  par- 
ticulars of  her  early  history,  and  the  names  of  some  of 
her  friends,  including  Dr.  B, ;  you  can  guess  the  rest ' 

"  '  Yes,  I  can,  and  she  palmed  you  off  on  me  as  the 
wealthy  widow,'  I  added. 

"•Just  so.: 

"'It  was  cleverly  done,  but  her  schemes  in  this  in- 
stance were  frustrated.' 

'* '  Fortunately  for  you,  and  unfortunately  for  me,  they 
were,  was  her  cool  rejoinder. 

"  '  Why  unfortunate  ibr  you  ?  '  I  asked. 

"  '  Because  I  should  have  been  your  wife  ! ' 

'"You  would,  would  you!     You  are  mistaken;  I 


288 

am  already  a  married  man.  Come,  Henrietta,  this  farce 
has  proceeded  far  enough,  I  will  see  you  to  Madame 
H.'s.  Tell  her  I  know  all,  and  Mr.  Courtney,  the 
Louisiana  planter,  was  not  born  with  scales  on  his 
eyes.'  1  spoke  with  some  severity. 

"  Ten  minutes  after,  my  carriage  stopped  at  No  - 
Amity  street,  and  Laura  de  Cardock  and  Mr.  Courtney 
separated  forever/' 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

THE  "  ANCIENT  MAIDEN  "  JULIET  IN  SEARCH  OF  A  HUSBAND 
— HER  GUSHING  EPISTLES  TO  WESLEY  H.  COURTNEY — 
PERTINENT  QUESTIONS — THE  FRENCH  GOVERNESS — MAD- 
AME VERB'S  PERSONAL  BUREAU. 

The  same  gentleman  who  figured  in  the  adventures 
with  Madame  de  Cardock,  one  morning  observed  the 
following  advertisement  in  a  Sunday  weekly  : 

"MATRIMONIAL — A  young  lady,  of  highly  respectable  connec- 
tions, desires  the  acquaintance  of  a  gentleman  not  over  thirty- 
five  years  of  age,  with  a  view  to  matrimony.  All  that  is  re- 
quired of  him  is  to  be  respectable,  industrious,  and  possessed  of 
a  moderate  income.  Address  Juliet,  care  of  Madame  Vere's 
Personal  Bureau,  No.  19  Amity  street." 

Mr.  Wesley  H.  Courtney  at  once  resolved  upon  re- 
sponding to  this  advertisement,  with  the  view  of  gain- 
ing an  insight  into  the  workings  of  Madame  Vere's 
institution  for  corrupting  society  and  enriching  the 
proprietress.  This  gentleman  furnished  to  me  the 
particulars,  and  I  have  embodied  them  in  a  correspond- 
ence. I  give  his  own  words : 

UI   immediately   addressed   the  following  letter  to 

4  Juliet '  : 

"NEW  YORK,  February,  20,  1870. 

"  M'LLE — Your  advertisement  has  attracted  my  attention,  and 
I  am  prompted  by  the  best  of  motives  in  responding.     I  am  a 
37 


290 

single  gentleman,  of  respectability,  anxious  to  obtain  a  wife 
who  will  do  honor  to  the  society  in  which  I  move.  It  is  proper 
for  me  to  say  here  that  I  have  an  income  of  $2,500  per  year  from 
salary.  I  am  a  commercial  agent  of  a  West  India  firm,  and 
spend  about  nine  months  of  the  year  traveling  in  the  South, 
Mexico,  and  the  West  Indies.  Three  months  of  the  year  I  am 
in  this  city.  Should  you  have  no  objections  to  travel,  I  could 
take  you  South  with  me,  and  give  you  ample  opportunities  for 
seeing  the  world.  Please  write  me  what  you  think  of  the  pro- 
position. Address  Horatio,  Amity  street  Post-office." 

"  This  note  called  forth  the  following  response  : 

"NEW  YORK,  February  24,  1870. 

"  MONSIEUR  —  I  received  your  letter,  but  not  soon  enough  to 
answer  it  before  this.  I  will  say  that  my  respectability  is  well 
known  among  my  acquaintances,  and  that  it  would  be  very  lit- 
tle trouble  for  you  to  ascertain  the  fact  ;  as  to  my  disposition,  it 
is  that  of  a  well-educated  woman,  knowing  her  duties,  always 
ready  to  fulfill  them.  I  am  a  French,  lady  from  Paris,  where  I 
have  been  brought  up,  being  only  a  few  years  in  this  country. 
I  could  tell  you  a  great  deal  more,  and  will  do  so  in  future,  but 
we  must  first  see  if  the  foundations  of  happiness  are  well  pre- 
pared. for  love  is  not  so  long  coming  when  everything  is  well 
prepared  to  receive  it.  Is  it  not  so  ? 

"  But  what  astonishes  me,  is  that  you  propose  that  your  wife 
should  travel  all  the  time.  How  could  that  be  ?  It  seems 
to  me  almost  impossible.  Perhaps  you  have  never  thought  the 
matter  over.  However,  should  you  find  a  manner  in  which  you 
could  arrange  all  things  for  the  better,  let  me  know,  for  I  shall 
expect  your  answer  in  care  of  Madame  Vere,  19  Amity  street. 

"  P.  S.  —  I  regret  I  can't  write  English  better." 


YORK,  February  28,  1870. 

"  DEAR  M'LLE  —  Your  letter  of  tVie  24th  is  received,  and  seems 
to  be  characterized  by  unusual  frankness  ;  but  there  is  no  neces- 
sity for  you  regretting  your  inability  to  write  English  :  I  think 
you  do  it  exquisitely.  I  will  now  state  that  I  am  a  native  of 
Louisiana  ;  when  ten  years  of  age,  spoke  French  fluently,  but  my 


291 

father,  who  was  a  Protestant  clergyman,  removed  to  Canada,  and 
I  forgot  all  I  knew  of  the  language.  I  have  never  connected 
myself  with  any  religious  party.  Sometimes  I  attend  the  Pro- 
testant and  other  times  the  Catholic  churches.  Regarding  our 
proposed  travels  in  the  South,  I  may  say  that  it  would  not  be 
necessary  for  you  to  travel  always.  You  could  be  with  me  in 
New  York  about  four  months  in  the  year,  accompany  me  to 
Washington,  Charleston,  and  New  Orleans ;  where  in  each  place 
I  remain  about  a  month,  and  then  you  could  return  home,  and 
await  my  coming." 

"  Several  other  letters  passed  between  us,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  explaining  our  religious  views ;  Juliet  being  a 
Catholic,  protesting  that  her  husband  must  belong  to 
that  faith.  One  of  these  letters  I  will  here  give : 

"  MONSIEUR — From  your  last  letter,  it  seems  to  me  that  we  are 
very  near  agreeing,  for  in  your  last  there  are  some  sentences  I  like 
very  much,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  see  you  before  certain  points 
are  made  clear ;  so  I  must  for  the  present  decline  a  meeting. 
After  these  points  are  well  understood  between  us,  I  think  we 
may  well  meet.  Have  you  ever  been  married  ?  Are  you  a  de- 
vout attendant  at  church  ?  Are  you  strictly  temperate  ?  Is  your 
health  good  ?  These  are  questions  I  desire  answered  frankly. 
"What  I  have  not  said  to  you  before,  and  what  I  perhaps  ought 
to  have  commenced  by,  is  that  I  am  far  from  being  rich,  for  I 
have  given  French  lesson,  in  New  York.  I  have  done  so  in  the 
best  families  of  this  city,  making  a  very  comfortable  living,  and 
somewhat  more,  for  I  have  taught  several  years.  I  have  always 
been  well,  very  well  treated.  I  have  had  proofs  of  affection 
from  many  of  my  scholars ;  but  now  I  want  more  than  those 
general  kindnesses  of  strangers ;  I  want  a  companion,  a  friend,  for 
all  the  moments  of  my  life.  It  is  why  I  am  talking  to  you, 
thinking  you  may  one  day  be  that  dear  one,  without  which 
there  can  not  be  real  happiness.  Now,  I  will  ask  you  once  more 
to  tell  me  honestly  in  your  answer,  if  you  are  disappointed,  if  you 
thought  differently  of  my  situation  in  life ;  if  it  is  so,  I  can  not 
be  offended  at  your  telling  me  openly,  for  you  have  not  seen  me  ; 
you  have  not  my  real  name,  Mrs.  Vere  does  not  know  it,  either, 


292 

and  you  very  likely  will  never  know  who  has  written  these 
words  to  you.  I  will  expect  your  answer,  I  can  not  say  without 
anxiety,  hut  at  the  same  time  well  disposed  in  both  cases,  as  I 
know  that  there  is  One  who  decides  for  us." 

"  The  reception  of  this  letter  rather  puzzled  me ;  1 
was  all  along  of  the  impression  that  Madame  Vere  was 
my  unknown  correspondent,  who  was  weaving  a  net  to 
entrap  me.  I  at  once  replied  : 

"  M'LLE — Your  last  note  is  to  hand.  I  have  never  been  mar- 
ried ;  I  do  attend  church  regularly ;  I  am  strictly  temperate ; 
and  my  health  is  excellent.  These  are  answers  to  the  main 
questions  propounded.  *  *  *  I  am  not  a  fortune-hunter.  All  1 
care  for  is  an  affectionate  heart  that  I  can  confide  in  and  devote 
my  life  to  making  happy.  You  say  you  have  not  given  me  your 
right  name.  In  that  you  showed  excellent  judgment.  There  is 
one  sentence  in  your  letter  I  can  not  understand.  You  say  that 
I  '  may  one  day  be  that  dear  one,  without  which  there  can  not 
be  real  happiness,'  and  a  little  further  on,  declare  that  '  Madame 
Vere  does  not  know  your  name,  and  very  likely  I  will  never 
know  who  has  written  these  lines  to  me.'  M'lle,  I  hope  you  are 
not  trifling  with  me  !  This  is  the  first  time  I  have  been  suspi- 
cious of  you ;  but  perhaps  I  mistake  your  meaning.  I  shall  await 
your  answer  with  anxiety,  and  your  consent  to  an  interview." 

"  This  note  was  despatched,  and  in  due  time  it  called 
forth  the  following  answer,  that  confirmed  my  suspi- 
cions that  my  correspondent  was  Madame  Vere  herself, 
and  not  a  French  governess.  However,  I  was  deter- 
mined to  see  the  end  of  the  romance.  The  letter  read : 

"MARCH  11,  1870. 

"  MONSIEUR — Although  you  very  kindly  say  that  j  write 
English  well,  I  think  you  will  see  that  you  are  mistaken,  or  else 
how  would  you  have  thought  that  m y  earnest  and  sincere  letter 
was  the  result  of  a  trifling  mind  ?  I  believe  I  said,  'should  you 
be  disappointed  on  account  of  my  situation  in  life,  or  in  my  re- 


293 

ligious  views,  then,  "before  seeing  me,  let  me  know  it,  as  neither 
you  nor  Mrs.  Vere  knows  my  name  or  address,  and  that  I  can 
not  be  offended  by  your  frankness.'  I  do  not  see  that  I  meant 
to  trifle  in  saying  that — therefore,  I  must  have  expressed  myself 
wrongly.  I  will  say  no  more  about  it,  I  think  we  have  discussed 
the  most  important  subjects ;  now,  what  remains  to  be  said  will 
be  talked  over  when  we  meet.  I  have  thought  of  many  places, 
but  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  Mrs,  Vere's  place  would  be  the 
best,  as  from  there  began  the  correspondence.  She  said  that  Sun- 
day evening  was  the  most  convenient  to  her,  and  I  thought  it 
might  be  the  same  to  you ;  so,  unless  you  write  immediately  to  me 
that  you  can  not  come  that  day  I  shall  be  there  Sunday  next  at 
eight  o'clock,  p.  M.,  19  Amity  street." 


CHAPTER  LV. 

MADAME  VERB'S  OFFICE — A  NIGHT  VISIT— COURTNEY  DISAP- 
POINTED —  EPISTOLARY  NEGOTIATIONS  —  A  MEETING — 
WALKS,  TALKS,  AND  RAMBLES — DELICATE  QUESTIONS  AN- 
SWERED— COURTNEY'S  FAREWELL  LETTER  TO  THE  MAIDEN. 

"  I  had  now  conducted  the  correspondence  to  a  point 
that  was  likely  to  be  productive  of  some  good  results, 
i.  e.,  giving  me  admission  to  Madame  Vere's  rooms.  On 
the  evening  named  for  the  meeting,  I  took  up  a  posi- 
tion in  Amity  street,  opposite  Madame  Vere's,  at  the 
hour  named.  Presently,  a  lady  of  small  figure,  plainly 
dressed,  ancl  vailed,  entered  the  place.  Still.  I  did 
not  follow.  My  object  was  to  permit  the  hour  of  meet- 
ing to  pass ;  secure  her  departure ;  then  enter ;  apologize 
to  Madame  Vere  for  my  tardiness ;  draw  her  into  con- 
versation, and  depart,  making  another  appointment. 
Fifteen  minutes  after  eight  o'clock,  the  vailed  female 
came  out,  and,  walking  down  the  street,  entered  the 
University  place  cars.  I  retraced  my  steps,  approached 
the  door,  and  pulled  the  bell.  It  was  answered  by  a 
man  of  forbidding  appearance,  who  looked  very  much 
like  an  Italian  organ-grinder,  who  demanded  my  busi- 
ness in  broken  English. 

"  4 1  desire  to  see  Madame  Vere  on  business,'  I  replied. 

"He    cautiously   scanned    my   features,  and  intro- 


295 

ducing  me  to  a  small  office,  plainly  furnished,  invited 
me  to  be  seated,  and  asked : 

"  '  What  name,  sir,  shall  I  give  ? 

" '  Tell  Madame  I  am  the  gentleman  who  is  to  meet 
M'lle  Juliet  here  this  evening.' 

"  The  man  disappeared  through  a  rear  door,  and  a 
moment,after,  a  slovenly-dressed  woman  entered,  carry- 
ing a  filthy  infant  in  her  arms. 

"  '  M'lle  Juliet  has  been  here  and  gone,  sir,'  was  her 
first  remark.  'She  waited  some  minutes,  and  stated 
that  she  would  write  you,  and  appoint  another  inter- 
view.' 

"  I  thanked  her  for  the  information  and  retired,  af- 
ter having  taken  in  at  a  glaixje  the  contents  of  the  room, 
which  contained  letter  boxes,  register  books,  circulars, 
chairs,  a  table,  and  a  few  pictures. 

"  On  the  following  day,  I  received,  a  note  from  Juliet, 
expressing  her  regrets  at  our  failure  to  meet,  and  nam- 
ing the  following  evening,  at  the  same  place,  for  an  in- 
terview. This  appointment  I  resolved  to  keep,  as  I 
was  now  convinced  that  Madame  Vere  and  Juliet  were 
distinct  persons,  although  I  was  not  satisfied  that  they 
were  not  working  in  concert 

"  At  eight  o'clock,  sharp,  I  entered  the  despicable  re- 
sort, at  the  invitation  of  the  villainous-looking  man  I 
had  met  on  the  occasion  of  my  former  visit  The 
room,  or  office,  was  not  empty.  A  female,  the  one  I 
had  seen  enter  before,  sat  in  a  chair  near  the  table,  un- 
vailed.  The  man  introduced  us,  and  left  the  office, 
closing  the  door  after  him.  Juliet,  who  had  by  letter 
placed  her  age  at  twenty -five,  to  me  appeared  to  be 
about  forty  years  of  age.  She  blushed  slightly  as  our 
eyes  met  for  the  first  time,  but  as  I  conversed  freely 
and  gayly  on  general  topics  for  a  few  minutes,  her  em- 


296 

barrassment  wore  away,  and  she  betrayed  no  signs  of 
emotion.  I  felt  a  loathing  of  her  from  the  moment  I 
placed  my  eyes  on  her,  but  carefully  suppressed  my 
feelings,  for  she  was  decidedly  repulsive  to  look  upon. 
About  five  feet  eight  inches  in  height,  a  length  of 
body  above  the  waist  that  by  no  means  compared  with 
other  parts  ;  a  neck  that  stood  up  like  that  of  an 
ostrich ;  a  nose  resembling  the  sharp  prow  of  an  iron 
vessel ;  eyes  very  much  like  a  serpent's,  and  hands  that 
would  split  number  nine  gloves — she  was  by  no  means 
a  beauty. 

"'Let  us  leave  this  place,  M'lle,'  I  said.  'It  is 
rather  cheerless.  We  may  commune  with  more  free- 
dom on  the  public  thoroughfares,  where  one  does  not 
know  another's  business,  and  there  are  no  listening  per- 
sons to  catch  the  sounds  of  lovers'  voices.' 

" '  Truly,  sir,'  was  her  quick  response,  '  I  must  con- 
fess I  do  not  like  the  surroundings.' 

"  I  opened  the  door,  and  we  stepped  out  into  the 
street  Down  through  "Washington  Park  we  rambled, 
entered  Sixth  avenue,  and  down  through  Carmine  and 
Yarick  streets  to  Canal  street  we  journeyed,  unnoticed 
by  any  of  the  divorce  spies  that  I  took  care  should  not 
see  us.  I  found  from  her  conversation  that  she  evi- 
dently had  no  connection  with  Madame  Vere,  beyond 
employing  her  office  as  a  meeting  place.  The  conver- 
sation was  mainly  regarding  the  marriage  relation,  and 
our  negotiations  by  letter.  She  gave  me  her  family 
history,  and  the  names  of  the  families  in  whose  employ 
she  had  been  as  a  governess,  and  I  so  cleverly  dissem- 
bled, that,  on  parting,  she  expressed  her  satisfaction  with 
me  as  an  applicant  for  her  heart,  but  declined  to  give 
me  her  name,  or  permit  me  to  call  at  her  house  until 
we  knew  more  of  each  other.  Miss  Juliet  assured  me 


297 

that  she  resided  with  her  mother  and  brother,  who  were 
carrying  on  a  lucrative  business  in  which  she  had  an 
interest,  but  declined  to  confide  the  location  of  her 
home.  After  asking  me  to  write  her  on  the  morrow, 
and  candidly  express  my  impression  and  wishes  after 
an  interview,  she  requested  me  to  see  her  to  a  Sixth 
avenue  car.  Five  minutes  after,  we  parted. 

"The  next  day,  I  addressed  her  a  letter  full  of  flat- 
tery  and  praise,  that  I  knew  would  have  its  effect  up- 
on the  heart  of  the  aged  applicant  for  matrimony,  and 
it  brought  a  response,  requesting  me  to  meet  her  at  the 
ladies'  room  of  the  Harlem  Depot  the  following  even- 
ing at  eight  o'clock. 

"  I  was  there  in  the  deserted  room  at  the  hour  named, 
determined  to  make  that  the  last  meeting,  satisfied,  as 
I  was,  that  M'lle  Juliet  was  an  adventurer,  whose  only 
object  was  to  wring  from  me  a  promise  of  marriage  that 
she  could  force  me  to  fulfill.  She  came,  finally,  and 
notwithstanding  the  wild  March  winds  were  howling 
without,  and  blowing  the  snow  over  housetop  and 
steeple,  she  proposed  a  walk.  Down  through  Fourth 
avenue  we  strayed  to  the  Bowery,  into  Bleecker  street, 
before  we  were  really  conscious  of  the  long  distance 
we  had  walked.  During  the  journey,  the  conversation 
was  upon  our  dispositions,  expectations,  and  religious 
beliefs.  I  urged  her  to  confide  to  me  her  real  name 
and  residence,  that  we  might  no  longer  meet  clandes- 
tinely,  but  this  she  firmly,  yet  politely,  refused  to  do, 
assigning  as  a  reason,  that  she  had  one  more  question  to 
propound  to  me  first,  which,  if  satisfactorily  answered, 
a  full  admission  to  her  home  and  aged  heart  should  be 
my  reward.  I  had  no  desire  to  be  admitted  to  either, 
but  I  still  plead  beseechingly,  and  urged  her  to  propound 
the  question  at  once.  The  fair  (?)  maiden  of  forty, 
38 


298 

blushingly  declared  she  would  rather  ask  it  by  letter, 
and  took  her  departure,  with  the  promise  made  to  me 
that  she  would  ask  the  momentous  question  that  very 
night 

"  The  following  day,  my  curiosity  was  gratified  on 

the  receipt  of  this  note : 

"  WEDNESDAY  EVENING. 

"  DEAR  MONSIEUR — It  is  after  half-past  ten,  and  yet  I  am  de- 
cided that  the  evening  should  not  pass  without  niy  telling  you 
these  two  important  points,  which  I  so  well  intended  to  tell  you 
when  I  saw  you.  Well,  suppose  blessings  attend  our  union,  would 
you  not  adopt  ray  religious  tenets  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  our 
family.  This  may  not  be  important  to  you ;  to  me  it  is  every- 
thing. I  should  much  prefer  to  remain  single  (which  I  do  not 
intend  doing).  This  is  why  I  thought  I  had  better  let  you  know 
this  very  important  point  before  your  coming  to  see  me  at  my 
home,  for  should  you  object  to  this,  I  would  a  hundred  times 
rather  not  know  you  any  longer,  for  I  should  in  that  case  be 
afraid  to  be  induced  by  your  kind  and  pleasant  ways  to  do  dif- 
ferent, and  that  would  be  for  a  future  time  taking  away  all  my 
happiness.  Do  not  believe  me  a  bigoted  woman ;  no,  not  at  all. 
But  this,  it  seems  to  me,  is  the  foundation,  and  not  a  mere  idea 
or  fancy ;  it  might  happen  so  that  you  have  on  that  point  the 
same  opinion  as  I  have ;  then  you  can  see  yourself  how  could 
we  agree.  Tell  me  honestly,  and  frankly,  will  you  not  ?  We 
know  so  little  of  one  another,  that  it  would  be  yet  time  to  cut 
short  our  acquaintance,  while  a  little  later  it  could  not  be  done, 
without  heart-burnings  to  both  of  us.  Consider  well  what  you 
are  going  to  write ;  I  shall  preciously  keep  your  answer  as  a 
proof  of  your  declaration.  If  in  the  negative,  your  reply,  I 
promise  you  I  will  burn  every  one  of  your  letters.  The  second 
point  is  this :  I  am  not  twenty-five — I  am  thirty  years  of  age. 
Of  course,  I  will  give  you  the  proof  of  this.  I  shall  let  you 
know  where  you  can  see  me,  after  receiving  your  response.  Are 
you  satisfied  with  a  wife  aged  thirty  years,  who  loves  deeply, 
devotedly,  loyally  ? " 

"I  appreciated  the  importance  of  the  queries  pro- 
pounded by  the  '  ancient  maiden,'  and  at  once  seated 


299 

myself  to  reply.     I  append  my  farewell  to  her,  written 
on  the  following  day : 

"  THURSDAY  MORNING. 

"M'LLE — Your  long  note  reached  me  yesterday,  putting  ques- 
tions that  your  extreme  delicacy  prevented  you  to  apply  to  me 
verbally.  I  will  answer  candidly.  1st. — I  have  always  felt  it 
to  be  sinful  on  the  part  of  parents  to  interfere  with  the  religious 
opinions  of  children,  especially  when  parents  are  adherents  of 
conflicting  theories  of  religion.  I  hold  that  at  the  moment  a 
child  reaches  the  age  of  reason,  when  they  can  judge  for  them- 
selves, it  is  criminal  for  parents  to  coerce  it  into  any  particular 
belief;  but  much  better  to  permit  it  to  select  its  own  form  of 
worshiping  its  Creator.  As  to  the  second  question,  whether 
your  age  is  an  objection,  I  must  answer  candidly  in  the  affirma- 
tive. You  say  you  are  thirty ;  but  you  forgot  to  say  how  many 
more  years  might  be  added  to  that  without  misrepresenting 
your  sylph-like  appearance,  that  really  charmed  me  on  first 
sight,  and  recalled  to  me  the  artist's  ideal  of  Jephtha's  Daugh- 
ter, as  she  sits  surrounded  by  the  fairest  of  Egyptian  maidens. 
Let  me  now,  before  I  close,  and  finally  bid  you  farewell,  say  that 
I  am  not  anxious  to  secure  a  traveling  companion  this  season. 
I  am  still  young,  and  can  wait.  Still,  I  would  not  wish  that  we 
should  part  in  anger.  To  be  frank  with  you,  M'llc,  I  only  an- 
swered your  advertisement  from  curiosity,  and  that  I  might 
gain  knowledge ;  the  importance  of  which,  to  others,  might  be  as 
good  seed  judiciously  sown.  I  have  been  entirely  successful, 
and  through  your  kindness  have  been  enabled  to  penetrate  the 
infamy  that  attends  the  nefarious  business  of  matrimonial  agen- 
cies. For  some  time,  I  suspected  that  you  and  Madame  Vere 
were  identical.  I  have  discovered  my  error,  and  believe  that  you 
are  a  young  lady,  who,  having  been  disappointed  iu  securing  an 
affinity  so  often,  that  you  begin  to  yearn  for  a  conquest,  and  as  a 
dernier  resort,  appeal  to  the  personal  columns  of  the  press.  I 
will  not  chide  you.  I  believe  you  are  pure  and  noble  at  heart, 
but  too  ignorant  of  the  world  to  trust  it  too  confidingly.  Take 
a  young  man's  advice,  and  in  future  eschew  '  personal  bureaus  ' 
and  matrimonial  columns  in  your  search  for  one  who  will  com- 
ply with  your  requests,  he  being  desirous  for  a  help-mate,  if  wo- 
men in  these  later  days  can  be  called  such — some  believe  that  a 


300 

help-eat  is  a  much  more  appropriate  title  for  most  of  our  Amer- 
ican women.  Adieu,  M'llc ;  adieu  to  dreams  of  prospective 
bliss  ;  to  my  chilly  rambles  on  the  avenue ;  to  meetings  in  Mad- 
ame Vere's  office,  and  to  affectionate  missives.  I  will  not,  like 
Hamlet,  tell  thee  to  get  to  a  nunnery,  for  thou  art  too  beautiful 
to  waste  away  your  transcendent  beuuty  within  damp  walls ; 
but  get  thee  home  to  thy  mother,  and  learn  wisdom  by  our  talks, 
walks,  and  disappointments.  And,  finally,  be  assured  I  am  too 
honorable  a  gentleman  to  take  advantage  of  our  negotiations  to 
your  detriment.  I  know  not  your  name,  nor  residence,  and  I 
shall  never  attempt  to  lift  the  vail  that  hides  these  secrets  from 
me.  Adieu,  again,  fair  lady,  beautiful  as  the  ceres  that  blushes 
when  kissed  by  the  hot  breath  of  a  tropical  sun,  and  hides  its 
charms  from  view.  Hide  thine  from  me — the  ignis  fatuus  has 
been  dispelled.  Horatio  is  himself  again,  and  you  still  remain 
a  maiden." 

"  Such  was  my  leave-taking.  My  lady  friends  will 
doubtless  exclaim,  '  wretch ! '  But  I  feel  that  I  have 
not  committed  any  grave  error.  I  never  received  a 
response,  but  I  believe  Juliet  is  still  in  search  of  a  hus- 
band, from  the  following,  clipped  from  the  matrimonial 
column  of  the  Sunday  Mercury,  of  May  9th : 

"  A  young  French  lady  (Catholic)  of  unblemished  reputation, 
wishes  to  meet  with  a  gentleman  matrimonially  inclined.  Wealth 
not  required  ;  but  comfortably  situated,  thrifty,  and  honorable. 
Proposals  only  entertained.  Address  Miss  B.,  box  41,  76 
Bleecker  street,  one  door  west  of  Broadway." 

Let  us  all  hope  that  the  ancient  maiden  will  '  try, 
try  again,'  until  she  secures  an  affinity  more  in  unison 
with  her  feelings  than  Wesley  H.  Courtney. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

THE  TEMPTATIONS  OP  BOARDIHG-SCHOOLS — MARIANA  GRAVES — 
A  LIFE  BLASTED — A  "  WAVERLY  "  PERSONAL — HARVEY 
GLYNDON — MOCK  MARRIAGE  AND  DESERTION — LOVE 
TURNED  TO  HATE. 

The  education  of  young  girls  in  boarding-schools  is 
always  fraught  with  danger,  unless  they  be  surrounded 
with  parental  influences,  or  have  minds  steeled  against 
contamination.  Many  a  young  girl  has  left  the  pa- 
rental roof,  pure  and  uucorrupted,  for  a  rural  female 
school,  and  returned  a  giddy  flirt,  with  an  artificial 
education,  and  a  character  that  disqualifies  her  for  the 
duties  of  a  wife  and  mother.  In  the  privacy  of  their 
seminary  rooms,  they  first  contract  habits  that  render 
them  vicious,  and  root  out  the  good  seed  planted  by  a 
religious  mother,  as  many  a  parent  has  learned  too  late. 
The  associations  of  these  schools  are  usually  of  a  de- 
moralizing character,  and  there  the  young  miss  learns 
her  first  lesson  in  deception  and  sin.  There  are,  we 
will  admit,  many  honorable  exceptions;  but  as  a  sys- 
tem, the  country  female  seminaries  are  prolific  of  ruin 
and  degradation.  Many  instances  have  come  under  the 
notice  of  the  author  of  these  pages,  where  families  first 
date  their  disgrace  and  humiliation  to  the  trivial  cir- 
cumstance that  they  trusted  a  devoted  daughter's  edu- 


302 

cation  to  a  ladies'  seminary.     We  will  give  one  as  an 
illustration  of  the  position  we  have  assumed  : 

In  1863,  there  resided  in  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  a 
prominent  lawyer,  whose  name  was  never  mentioned 
by  his  fellow-men  except  with  honor.  We  will  call 
him  Harwood  Graves.  He  was  the  head  of  a  family  of 
three  daughters.  The  eldest,  Mariana,  at  the  time  we 
write  of,  was  sixteen  years  of  age ;  educated  under  the 
eye  of  a  Christian  mother  and  father,  she  left  home  for 
Fort  Edward  Seminary,  in  New  York  State,  with  a  fu- 
ture full  of  promise.  In  the  seminary,  she  soon  be- 
came a  favorite  with  pupils  and  teachers — was  petted 
and  spoiled.  Whenever  there  was  a  picnic,  Mariana 
Graves  was  the  belle ;  when  there  was  a  Maying  party, 
she  usually  won  the  queen's  crown.  Time  passed  on, 
the  associates  by  whom  she  was  surrounded  flattered  her 
by  compliments  paid  to  her  beauty  and  accomplishments. 
She  became  careless  of  study,  and  dreamed  of  a  gay 
life  in  the  busy  outer  world,  where  she  would  be  re- 
lieved of  the  stringent  rules  that  characterized  the 
school.  Ere  she  had  been  an  inmate  of  Fort  Edward 
Seminary  a  year,  Mariana  fell  a  victim  to  her  vanity.  A 
"  Personal "  appeared  in  the  Waverly  Magazine,  as  fol- 
lows: 

"  Wanted,  by  a  young  student  at  the  New  York  College,  a  lady 
correspondent,  witty,  pretty,  and  young,  with  whom  the  adver- 
tiser can  regale  his  leisure  by  a  cheerful  correspondence.  Object 
amusement,  and  perhaps  matrimony,  on  graduation.  Address 
Harvey  Glyndon,  New  York  city." 

Several  of  the  girls  read  and  discussed  the  phrase- 
ology of  this  "  want,"  and  they  unanimously  selected 
Mariana  Graves  as  the  most  talented  to  open  a  corre- 


303 

spondence.  The  next  post  carried  a  letter  to  Harvey 
Glyndon ;  answers  came  back,  and  for  two  months  a 
correspondence  was  conducted  between  the  parties,  and 
photographs  exchanged.  The  picture  of  Harve}- 
Glyndon  awakened  slumbering  thoughts  in  the  breast 
of  Mariana,  who,  until  now,  had  never  known  what 
love  was.  When  vacation  came,  she  wrote  to  her  pa- 
rents that  she  was  so  deeply  engrossed  in  her  studies 
that  she  would  forego  the  pleasure  of  a  visit  to  the 
parental  roof.  A  few  days  after,  Harvey  Glyndon  ap- 
peared in  the  town  of  Fort  Edward,  and  was  introduced 
to  the  matron  as  Mariana's  brother,  who  was  at  an  East- 
ern college.  For  days,  they  rambled  in  shady  groves, 
strayed  by  murmuring  streams ;  and  as  the  time  arrived 
for  the  opening  of  the  next  term,  Mariana  was  tired  of 
books  and  school  restraints — in  love  with  the  handsome 
and  fascinating  Glyndon.  One  night,  she  was  missed 
from  the  school-building,  and  on  a  table,  in  her  room, 
was  found  a  brief  note  to  the  matron,  announcing  her 
elopement  and  contemplated  marriage  with  her  lover, 
Harvey.  There  was  a  week  of  scandal  in  the  semi- 
nary, a  month  of  mourning  about  the  family  circle  of 
Harwood  Graves;  yet  no  intelligence  reached  Ann 
Arbor  of  the  whereabouts  of  the  erring  daughter. 

After  her  elopement  from  the  seminary,  Miss  Graves 
and  her  lover  spent  a  week  or  two  traveling  at  the  wa- 
tering places  as  brother  and  sister,  and,  finally,  after 
the  round  of  pleasure  became  tedious,  they  arrived  in 
this  metropolis  of  sin.  Mariana  now  insisted  that 
Glyndon  should  fulfill  his  promise  of  marriage,  and  he 
readily  consented.  A  mock  ceremony  was  performed, 
which  Miss  Graves,  in  her  simplicity  of  heart,  sup- 
posed gave  her  the  title  of  wife.  The  lovers  boarded  at 
a  hotel  for  a  month  or  two,  when  Glyndon  one  day  sug- 


304 

gested  a  boarding-house  where  expenses  would  be  re- 
duced. The  young  wife  readily  consented.  That  af- 
ternoon, their  baggage  was  deposited  on  the  second 
floor  of  a  fashionable  house  in  Neilson  place,  and  they 
became  boarders.  This  opened  a  new  field  of  amuse- 
ment for  the  unsuspecting  wife,  for  Madame  C.  had 
many  visitors,  and  eight  or  ten  fascinating  lady  board- 
ers ;  yet,  she  never  for  a  moment,  in  her  simplicity,  sus- 
pected the  character  of  her  residence.  Two  days  after 
they  had  entered  the  place,  Glyndon  disappeared,  leav- 
ing a  note  behind  explaining  the  situation,  informing 
her  that  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  by  one 
of  his  friends  improvised  into  a  priest,  and  recommend- 
ing her  to  return  home  to  her  friends,  or  remain  a  per- 
manent attache  of  Madame  C.'s  elegant  mansion.  The 
shock  that  followed  threw  her  into  a  fever,  from  which, 
ten  days  after,  she  emerged  a  changed  woman — the 
possessor  of  a  heart  burning  with  hate  for  mankind. 
She  remained  for  months  in  the  house,  and  became  lost 
in  the  vortex  of  dissipation,  into  which  so  many  had 
been  plunged  before  her.  It  was  about  this  time, 
when  she  was  known  as  Julia  Livermore,  that  she  was 
one  evening  pointed  out  in  the  Waverly  Theater  to  the 
author,  who  first  learned  from  the  lips  of  a  detective  her 
brief  but  eventful  history.  The  detective  had,  a  year 
before,  been  employed  by  Mr.  Graves  to  search  for  his 
lost  child,  and  by  the  means  of  a  photograph  traced 
her  to  Madame  C.'s  house,  and  endeavored  to  wean  her 
away  from  her  evil  associates,  but  in  vain.  Her  better 
nature  had  been  soured,  and  my  detective  acquaintance 
informed  me  that  the  handsome  Julia  took  special 
delight  in  venting  her  vengeance  upon  her  own  sex. 
For  years,  I  heard  no  more  of  Mariana  Graves,  alias 
Julia  Livermore,  and  she  nearly  passed  from  my  mind, 


305 

when  one  da,y  in  April,  1868, 1  met  my  detective  friend 
on  the  corner  of  Grand  street  and  Broadway.  After 
exchange  of  greetings,  he  spoke  to  me  of  the  heroine 
of  the  above  story,  and  handed  me  a  slip  cut  from  a 
city  journal,  which  I  will  reserve  for  another  chapter. 
39 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

JULIA  LIVEKMORE  IN  A  NEW  BOLE — THE  ATTRACTIONS  OF 
CRINOLINE  LAID  ASIDE  FOR  THE  FREEDOM  OF  TIGHT-FIT- 
TING BROADCLOTH — ARREST  OF  A  WOMAN  IN  MAN'S  ATTIRE 
— HER  CAREER  AT  THE  WATERING  PLACES  AND  IN  NEW 
YORK — FOUR  YEARS  IN  BORROWED  COSTUME — FEMALE 
FLIRTATIONS  WITH  WOMEN. 

Receiving  the  newspaper  extract,  I  bade  the  detect- 
ive farewell,  and  returned  to  my  hotel  to  peruse  it  at 
leisure.  The  article  is  given  below.  In  the  banker,  I 
recognized  a  well-known  resident  of  Washington,  who 
unenviably  figured  in  the  impeachment  trial  of  ex-Presi- 
dent Andrew  Johnson — a  venerable  gentleman  I  had 
often  met  in  fashionable  Washington  and  New  York 
society — and  Charley  Morgan,  the  dashing  nephew,  I 
had  often  seen  the  banker  introduce  at  New  York 
clubs,  and  private  soirees  in  Fifth,  Madison,  and  Lex- 
ington avenues.  The  details,  as  published,  are  these: 

"  For  some  four  years  past,  a  young  female,  the  par- 
ticular protege  of  a  wealthy  and  prominent  banker  of 
this  city,  has  been  practicing  a  most  surprising  and  suc- 
cessful deception  on  the  community  at  large,  by  assum- 
ing the  dress  and  aping  the  manners  of  one  of  the 
sterner  sex  ;  but.  unfortunately  for  herself,  she  came  to 
grief  last  Sunday,  by  an  ignominious  arrest  at  the 


307 

hands  of  a  lynx-eyed  sergeant  of  police.  This  young 
woman,  known  to  her  intimate  female  friends  as  Julia, 
but  rejoicing  in  the  cognomen  of  Charley  Morgan 
among  her  deceived  male  acquaintances,  is  a  beauty  of 
the  brunette  order ;  but  her  features  are,  as  may  be 
supposed,  of  the  masculine  type,  yet  not  sufficiently  so 
to  render  her  at  all  less  good-looking.  She  is  of  the 
medium  height,  well-formed,  yet  has  none  of  that 
peculiarity  of  form  which  renders  deception  in  such 
cases  almost  impossible.  She  wears  her  hair  cut  short, 
and  parted  at  the  side  and  back,  and  usually  has  it 
brushed  well  forward.  If  the  stories  about  this  re- 
markable woman  are  to  be  credited,  and  they  come 
from  authentic  sources,  she  has  not  worn  the  usual 
dress  of  her  sex  for  nearly  four  years  past,  but  has 
constantly  appeared,  both  in  public  and  private,  in 
male  attire  of  the  latest  style  and  most  expensive  ma- 
terials. During  all  this  time,  she  has  been  in  the  com- 
pany of  the  wealthy  banker,  mentioned  above,  who  has 
lavished  large  sums  of  money  upon  her  to  gratify  her 
peculiar  whim  of  counterfeiting  a  fast  young  man.  As 
the  nephew  of  the  banker,  she  has  been  introduced  in- 
to some  of  the  best  families  in  this  city,  and  has  neces- 
sarily been  on  intimate  terms  with  the  fast  young 
bloods  about  town,  and  has  been  their  companion  in 
many  a  '  spree.'  In  the  character  she  assumed,  she 
spent  her  money  freely,  drank  champagne  cocktails,  and 
smoked  segars  with  the  fastest  of  her  boon  companions, 
and  occasionally  indulged  in  a  '  swear. '  Her  '  uncle  ' 
supplied  her  with  the  needful  to  gratify  her  extrava- 
gant tastes,  and  many  of  the  bloods  about  town  well 
remember  the  champagne  suppers,  succeeding  visits  to 
the  opera,  at  which  '  Charley  Morgan  '  acted  the  host 
with  such  natural  felicity  that  her  real  sex  was  not  for 


308 

a  moment  suspected.  During  the  summer,  the  '  uncle,' 
accompanied  by  his  charming  'nephew,'  made  the 
rounds  of  the  watering  places,  where  the  nephew  paid 
such  court  to  the  fair  ladies  as  to  cause  many  a  heart- 
ache. Her  team  was  the  fastest  and  most  stylish  on 
the  road,  and  she  handled  the  ribbons  with  such  a 
masterly  hand,  that  a  ride  behind  her  spanking  team 
was  considered  so  great  a  boon  that  the  ladies  almost 
fought  for  the  privilege. 

"  Another  singular  phase  of  the  case  is,  that  Charley 
Morgan  was  always  a  favored  and  acceptable  visitor  at 
the  fashionable  '  maisons  de  joie '  in  this  city,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  that  some  of  the  queens  of  the  demi  monde 
were  in  her  secret. 

"  But  her  career  was  doomed  to  an  abrupt  termina- 
tion. Some  time  ago,  this  enterprising  young  female 
was  a  guest  at  the  New  York  Restaurant,  registered  as 
Charles  F.  Morgan,  and  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the 
haunts  of  the  demimonde  in  the  Fifteenth  Ward.  Dur- 
ing her  perambulations  by  night  and  by  day,  she  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  Sergeant  Lucien  P.  Fields,  of 
the  Fifteenth  Precinct,  who  thenceforward  kept  a  strict 
watch  upon  her  movements,  whenever  she  went  abroad. 
Becoming  convinced  that  Charley  Morgan,  who  was 
well-known  by  reputation  throughout  the  ward,  was  a 
woman  in  male  attire,  he  determined  to  arrest  her  on 
the  first  opportunity,  and,  last  Sunday  afternoon,  the 
sergeant  carried  his  resolution  into  effect.  '  Charley  ' 
had  just  left  the  fashionable  resort  kept  by  Louise 
Walcott,  in  Neilson  place,  when  she  was  seen  by  the 
sergeant,  who  at  once  arrested  her. 

"  She  treated  the  arrest  very  coolly,  laughed  at  the 
absurd  idea  that  she  was  anything  but  what  she  appeared 
to  be,  and  so  nonchalant  was  she,  and  so  perfect  her 


309 

disguise,  that  the  sergeant  was  for  a  moment  staggered, 
lie,  however,  took  her  to  the  station-house,  where  she 
gave  her  name  as  Charles  F.  Ward,  the  name  of  her 
uncle,  to  which  the  police  added  the  aliases  of  Morgan 
and  Julia.  By  order  of  Captain  Charles  W.  Caffrey, 
she  was  locked  up  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  station- 
house.  -She  was  attired  in  a  black  broadcloth  frock 
coat ;  dark  vest,  cut  low  to  show  a  broad  plaited  shirt- 
bosom,  adorned  with  handsome  diamond  studs;  light 
cassimere  pantaloons;  patent  leather  boots,  and  fine 
black  Derby  hat  All  these  articles  were  of  the  finest 
quality,  and  most  exquisite  cut  She  also  wore  a 
heavy  gold  neck-chain,  and  an  elegant  gold  watch. 
Her  entire  outfit  was  perfect,  and  her  appearance  would 
stand  the  closest  scrutiny.  She  really  appeared  .to  be 
a  fast,  beardless  boy,  of  perhaps  eighteen  summers. 
She  persisted  for  some  time  that  she  was  a  man,  but  on 
a  proposition  being  made  looking  to  the  solving  of  the 
disputed  point,  she  admitted  the  truth.  In  the  mean- 
time, her  friends  had  heard  of  her  mishap,  and  were 
making  extraordinary  efforts  to  procure  her  release. 
Miss  Louise  Walcott  called  and  had  a  long  interview 
with  her,  and  numerous  other  friends  called.  Finally, 
the  services  of  Justice  Ledwith  were  procured,  and 
that  official  called  at  the  station-house  to  order  her  dis- 
charge, but  that  being  contrary  to  police  regulations, 
the  magistrate  proceeded  to  the  Jefferson  Market  Police 
Court,  where,  at  nine  o'clock  at  night,  with  the  conni- 
vance of  the  late  Inspector  Leonard,  he  opened  court, 
and  ordered  the  prisoner  to  be  brought  before  him. 
Captain  Caffrey  produced  the  prisoner,  and  after  hear- 
ing the  complaint  of  Sergeant  Fields,  the  magistrate 
reprimanded  Julia  and  discharged  her.  She  left  the 
court-room  accompanied  by  a  bevy  of  friends,  and  it  is 


310 

thought  will  not  be  caught  in  such  a  scrape  again. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  cases  of  the  kind 
on  record,  and  it  is  almost  incredible  that  the  girl  could 
have  practiced  the  deception  to  such  an  extent  and  for 
so  Ion  *  a  time  without  detection." 

There  remains  but  little  more  to  be  said  regarding 
the  protege  of  the  Washington  banker,  confidante  and 
friend  of  Cranston.  The  World  and  Herald,  at  the 
time,  exposed  the  despicable  course  of  Justice  Thomas 
Ledwith  in  opening  court  at  nine  o'clock  on  Sabbath 
evening  to  discharge  a  woman,  who,  through  the  con- 
nivance of  the  banker,  in  man's  apparel,  had  been  in- 
troduced into  the  best  familv  circles  of  New  York  so- 

i/ 

ciety,  and  paid  court  to  virtuous  maidens ;  and  the 
subject  passed  from  the  public  mind.  In  a  future  edi- 
tion of  PERSONALS  OR  PERILS  OF  THE  PERIOD,  we 
may  follow  up  the  career  of  this  remarkable  woman, 
who,  for  the  present,  is  not  a  prominent  actor  in  the 
world's  drama. 


CHAPTER  LVHI. 

THE  CALHOTJN  LETTERS — COMPLETE  SERIES  OP  THE  INTEREST- 
ING EPISTLES  OF  MRS.  Lu.  G.  CALHOUN  TO  MRS.  McFAR- 
LASD — LETTER  OF  MRS.  SINCLAIR. 

We  should  deem  our  labor  incomplete  did  we  omit 
the  following,  which  will  be  known  for  all  time  as  the 
"  Calhoun  Letters."  As  they  bear,  somewhat,  upon 
matters  which  we  have  endeavored  to  illustrate  in  the 
preceding  pages,  they  will  not  be  considered  out  of 
place. 

I 

77  CLINTON  PLACE,  NEW  YORK, 

Sunday  evening,  June  24,  1866. 

MY  DEAR  MRS.  MCFARLAND 

It  was  a  good  inspiration  which  led  you  to  write 
me,  and  to  believe  that  I  wanted  to  hear  from  you.  A 
dozen  times  since  you  went  away  I  have  sat  down 
with  the  express  and  absolute  purpose  of  writing  you, 
and  then  some  dreary  manuscript  interposed,  and  my 
interesting  pen  labored  till  it  was  so  tired  that  it  had 
no  power  of  purpose  left.  My  work  is  of  that  discour- 
aging order  that  consumes  time  and  patience,  and  ex- 
hausts the  forces,  without  building  any  monuments  of 
progress.  Revising,  correcting,  and  mending — compar- 


312 

ing,  rejecting.  Eminently  useful,  greatly  easier  than 
writing,  of  which  I  am  not  fond,  but  rather  dreary.  3 
have  been  so  veiy  busy  that  I  have  not  written  much 
since  you  went  away.  Besides  my  work  for  the  Tri- 
bune, I  do  a  certain  class  of  book  reviews  for  the  Inde- 
pendent, and  go  about  with  hands  so  very  full,  that  I 
have  seldom  opportunity  to  take  up  private  letters. 
For,  as  I  dare  say  you  know  already — but  as  it  is  the 
central  fact  of  the  universe,  it  will  bear  repetition — I 
am  housekeeping ! !  I  attained  that  blissful  condition, 
to  my  extreme  surprise,  on  the  first  of  May.  We 
heard  of  the  house  but  two  days  before  ;  took  it,  and 
bought  one  tea-kettle  at  once.  For  myself,  1  am  most 
pleased.  I  enjoy  the  freedom  and  largeness  and  hos- 
pitality of  home.  And  as  we  must  live  in  shells 
through  all  this  mortal  pilgrimage,  it  is  so  much  more 
comfortable  to  have  them  of  the  largest  and  pleasant- 
est.  Our  house  is  very  pleasant,  as  you  shall  see  when 
you  come  back.  But  for  this  ignorant  present,  I  could 
wish  myself  with  you,  in  the  smallest  farm  house  that 
ever  took  root  in  a  cleft  of  the  hill.  For  know,  O, 
mountain  nymph,  that  the  weather  is  terrific.  Doors 
and  windows  swing  wide,  the  generous  palm-leaf  is 
plied,  but  we  carried  over  the  ghostliest  breeze  from 
Northern  peak,  or  Western  lake,  or  Eastern  ocean. 
June  in  the  country,  with  a  wreath  of  roses  and  white 
hands  scattering  dews,  and  June  in  town,  in  the  brassy 
helmet  of  August,  with  sun-burned  fingers  shading 
blinded  eyes,  are  no  kin  together.  Last  week,  the 
Tribune  sent  me  on  a  flying  visit  to  Saratoga,  Lake 
George,  and  Lake  Champlain,  the  fruits  whereof  you 
shall  have  when  they  become  immortal  in  Tuesday's 
issue.  Saratoga  is  dreadful,  but  the  lakes  and  far-away 
hills  filled  me  with  delight.  You  knowr  I  arn  a  cock- 


313 

ney  of  cockneys — know  nothing  of  the  heart  and 
wonder  of  country  life.  Never  have  seen  the  mount- 
ains in  my  life,  save  a  scattered  peak  or  two,  and  yet, 
to  me,  they  are  wonderful — things  not  to  talk  about 
unless  the  dweller  be  very  fine ;  constant  companion- 
ship with  nature  belittles  him.  I  think  men  grow 
blind  and  deaf  to  the  glory  that  is  above  their  heads 
and  beneath  their  feet  Don't  they?  I  walk  in  the 
dark,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  meadow  and  mountain, 
roses  and  river,  are  more  to  me  than  to  the  man  of 
whose  estate  they  are  part  And,  as  art  and  culture 
must  teach  me  the  wonderful  secrets  and  charms  of 
nature,  so  I  fancy  must  city  life  train  me  into  country 
uses.  I  have  no  taste  for  wigwams ;  but,  all  through 
the  soft  spring  and  passionate  summer,  an  eagerness  for 
woods  and  waters  possesses  me.  Just  now,  I  am  im- 
prisoned in  the  loop  of  the  editorial  scissors,  and  am 
so  base  that  I  shall  doubtless  continue  to  be  a  bonds- 
man all  the  season,  save  when  the  Tribune  lets  me  out 
to  do  its  journalistic  warbling,  keeping  a  string  about 
me,  that  I  may  not  fly  too  far.  If  it  should  believe  its 
vital  element  of  the  success  of  the  paper  to  have  two 
or  three  letters  from  the  White  Mountains,  I  am  the 
person  to  sacrifice  my  ease  in  its  interest,  and  I  shall 
find  some  practicable  route  through  Shelburne,  that  I 
may  take  a  peep  at  you. 

Everybody  is  out  of  town.  Mrs.  Ward  has  gone, 
and  the  Sinclairs  went  last  week,  and  everybody  else 
whom  I  know,  except  Mr.  Richardson,  who  has  a  room 
here,  and  is  so  delightfully  agreeable  and  good-natured, 
that  not  even  this  dreadful  weather  makes  him  cross, 
which  is  saying  a  great  deal  for  his  Christian  discipline. 
Mr.  Greeley  has  almost  finished  his  book,  and  then  he 
is  going  away — probably  to  Saratoga,  to  tnp  the  light 
40 


fantastic  toe.  Mrs.  Greeley  has  had  a  hemorrhage,  and 
is  very  feeble.  For  myself,  I  am  very  well,  rather 
tired,  having  made  my  jaunt  in  three  days  and  written 
three  letters,  and  very  anxious  of  the  dryads  and  hema- 
dryads. 

I  hope  you  will  study  toward  the  stage,  if  not  for  the 
stage,  this  summer.  That  goal  seems  to  me  so  inevit- 
able, and  so  desirable,  if  you  cultivate  your  very  great 
gift  at  all,  that  whenever  I  think  of  you,  I  wish  you 
were  in  your  rightful  place.  The  drama  is  the  beauti- 
ful art,  and  you  are  worthy  to  be  its  prophet.  My 
own  dreams  of  serving  it  will  never  be  hopes  now ; 
but,  whenever  I  see  brave  young  feet  set  toward  it,  and 
thoughtful  brows  bent  thitherward,  I  cry,  "godspeed," 
from  my  inmost  soul.  I  am  so  weary  to-night,  and  so 
warm  and  uncomfortable,  that  I  have  written  a  most 
stupid  letter  ;  but  I  would  not  longer  let  your  dear  note 
go  unanswered.  I  love  you,  and  want  to  know  you 
better.  I  have  no  doubt  that  we  met  in  this  great 
highroad  because  each  had  something  for  the  other, 
and  we  well  know  what  it  is.  Write  me  at  the  office 
or  here,  and  be  assured  of  answers  as  speedy  as  my 
tired  pen  can  write.  Ever  and  always,  believe  me, 
affectionately  yours, 

Lu  G.  CALHOUN. 


II. 

77  CLINTON  PLACE,  Aug.  26,  '66. 

Sunday  afternoon, 
MY  BELOVED  FRIEND 

It  is  after  dinner,  and  I  am  bilious,  so  expect  a 
soporific.  Your  last  two  letters  were  forwarded  me  at 
Long  Branch,  but  I  had  no  time  to  answer  them  there, 


315 

and  I  came  home  only  last  night  You  have  been  very 
good  to  take  so  much  trouble  for  me,  and  I  want  to  see 
you,  and  thank  you  with  lips  and  eyes,  and  yet  it  is 
quite  miserably  possible  that  I  may  not  be  able  to  come 
at  all.  I  am  going  to  tell  you  all  my  private  affairs, 
so  you  will  see  that  this  letter  is  only  for  your  dear  self. 

You  know  we  are  housekeeping  for  the  first  time  in 
three  years,  and  expenses  are  terrifying  ;  but  I  knew 
Mr.  Calhoun  wanted  to  do  it,  so  I  thought  we  could 
manage ;  and  when  I  began  to  receive  a  regular  salary, 
I  resolved  not  to  ask  him  for  anything  for  my  personal 
wants.  Therefore,  I  have  taken  care  of  myself  entirely 
for  the  last  six  months.  But  I  have  been  away  for  the 
Tribune  three  times,  and,  though  the  paper  pays  my 
traveling  expenses  and  my  board  bill,  still  I  had  to 
dress  more  than  I  should  at  home,  and  I  am  forced  to 
buy  many  things  which  I  should  not  otherwise.  More- 
over, I  was  obliged  to  put  out  all  my  sewing,  because 
I  have  not  had  time  to  do  it,  and  my  clothes,  and  dress- 
makers' and  seamstresses'  bills  this  summer  have  been 
over  two  hundred  dollars.  Then  I  took  one  of  my  sis- 
ters, who  is  not  well,  to  Saratoga,  and  that  cost  me  al- 
most fifty  dollars,  and  I  pay  the  school  bills  of  the 
other,  which  are  ninety  dollars  a  quarter,  and  altogether 
I  have  exactly  no  money  now.  Of  course,  if  I  were  to 
ask  Mr.  Calhoun,  who  is  the  best  man  in  the  world,  he 
would  tell  me  to  go,  but  I  know  he  can't  well  afford  to 
let  me  just  now,  and  I  don't  want  to  break  my  resolve. 

So  I  shall  have  to  wait  till  I  can  hoard  a  little,  and 
I  fear  that  will  be  too  late  to  find  you.  I  shall  not  go 
to  Shelburne  if  you  are  not  there,  of  course.  I  have 
not  much  cared  to  go  at  all,  except  to  see  you—  only 
that.  I  wanted  to  take  mother,  who  has  never  seen  the 
White  Mountains ;  whose  health  is  delicate,  and  who 


316 

is  of  course  growing  old.  It  will  be  a  bitter  disappoint- 
ment to  me,  on  her  account,  if  I  can  not  go.  You 
will  soon  be  at  at  home,  so  that  I  shall  see  you  in  any 
event.  But  one  thing  I  will  not  do,  is  to  "rustle  in 
unpaid-for  silk."  I  had  the  spectacle  of  new  dresses, 
and  don't  mean  to  have  another  for  a  year.  I  have 
been  trying  all  summer  to  save  money  for  some  books, 
for  which  I  am  famishing,  and  some  other  delightful 
things,  but  I  suppose  I  never  shall.  Do  you  know  I 
have  almost  decided  to  lecture  this  winter,  if  I  can 
persuade  anybody  to  hear  me,  which  is  problematical. 
I  am  going  to  work  at  my  lectures  at  all  events,  and 
shall  resume  my  elocution  lessons  to  strengthen  my 
voice.  I  know  there  is  as  much  in  me  as  in  Anna 
Dickinson,  and  I  mean  to  coin  my  heart  for  drachmas, 
if  it  be  possible.  If  I  can  arrange  to  earn  seventy-five 
dollars  by  doing  extra  work  these  next  two  weeks,  look 
for  me.  You  know  I  shall  have  just  double  bills  to 
pay,  but  I  want  mother  to  have  a  nice  time,  and  be  able 
to  go  just  where  she  likes.  Father  used  to  be  rich, 
and  now  they  are  poor ;  but  mother  has  never  been 
reconciled,  and  I  want  to  give  her  all  the  pleasure  with- 
in my  very  narrow  grasp.  So,  my  darling,  I  have  told 
you  all  my  disappointments.  When  I  thought  I  should 
be  able  to  go  by  this  time,  my  bills  had  not  come  in, 
and  I  did  not  know  how  difficult  it  would  be  for  me  to 
manage  them.  And  I  have  so  many  persons  besides 
myself  to  consider.  My  heart  has  gone  to  you  ever  so 
many  times,  and  I  shall  follow  in  my  body  if  possible. 
And  now  to  leave  this  miserable  ledger  business  for 
something  better.  For  myself,  I  have  avowed  my  im- 
mediate future.  All  this  fall  and  winter,  I  shall  do  my 
speedy  utmost  to  make  money.  It  is  the  one  potent 
servant,  the  comforter,  and  consoler,  and  helper.  In 


317 

its  uses  I  mean,  of  course,  not  in  itself.  And  you — I 
hope  your  desire  and  purpose  for  the  stage  has  not 
faded  nor  been  trampled  out  by  hard  hoofs  of  necessity. 
Have  you  had  any  encouragement  ?  I  am  very  use- 
less in  that  way,  having  no  direct  theatrical  influence, 
but  I'll  try  to  obtain  some.  I  know  that  you  would 
succeed,^  and  I  fully  believe  it  to  be  your  best  and  no- 
blest work.  Nothing  so  much  as  the  stage  needs  good 
lives  and  good  heads.  I  know  I  could  help  you  in  the 
direction  of  your  wardrobe,  but  I  feel  there  isn't  much 
else  I  can  do. 

However,  my  dear  child,  the  helpers  will  come.  Of 
course,  I  know  that  the  life  is  by  no  means  an  easy  one. 
I  know  that  I  counsel  you  to  discouragement  and  toil, 
and  contact  with  coarse  people  and  slights.  But  if  I 
had  half  the  confidence  in  my  powers,  that  I  have  in 
yours,  I  should  have  been  on  the  stage  months  ago,  and 
I  know  that  I  should  not  have  failed.  I  think  you 
have  so  many  gifts  ;  your  beautiful  voice,  your  chang- 
ing color,  your  varying,  soulful  face,  your  earnestness 
and  freshness  of  nature,  your  love  for  your  art — and  in 
your  love  for  your  art  and  your  love  for  your  children 
you  have  also  the  highest  incentive.  Dear  child,  I 
wish  I  could  make  your  path  straight  and  smooth  to  the 
highest  success ;  but  only  that  success  is  highest  to 
which  we  make  our  way  with  pain  and  toil.  When 
you  come  back,  we  will  have  long  talks  about  this 
matter,  and  see  if  we  can  not  make  our  eager  ambition 
give  place  to  excellent  doing. 

I  believe  Stuart  might  be  induced  to  place  you  on 
the  staff.  They  have  absolutely  no  lady  at  Winter 
Garden.  That  Miss  Johnson  is  a  chambermaid  of  the 
most  hopeless  order,  and  how  Edwin  Booth  can  play 
with  her  passes  my  understanding.  Now,  if  ever,  wo- 


318 

men  of  power  are  needed  on  the  stage,  and  I  believe 
way  can  be  made.  You  know  Stuart  loves  the  Tribune. 
I'll  write  to  Mr.  Gay  and  persuade  him  to  use  his  in- 
fluence if  it  will  do  any  good.  A  Mr.  Long  would 
help  me.  Write  me  anything — all  your  hopes  and 
fears  and  troubles.  I  have  seldom  in  my  life  been  so 
frank  with  old  friends  as  in  this  morning  of  our  love 
with  you.  I  hope  you  will  be  moved  to  let  me  help 
you  with  your  burdens,  if  that  be  possible,  or  at  least 
to  tell  me  what  they  are. 

Meanwhile,  I  shall  indulge  a  lovely  dream  of  seeing 
a  fitting  Desdemona,  and  Juliet,  and  Ophelia,  and  Mar- 
itana,  to  an  Othello  long  unmatched,  though  often 
dreadfully  wedded ;  a  doting  but  incomprehensible 
Richelieu  ;  a  Hamlet,  who  must  have  been  mad  to  love 
such  a  maiden  as  the  stage  has  long  cursed  him  with, 
and  a  Don  Csesar,  whose  one  unpardonable  crime  was 
•his  admiration  of  the  abominable  Gipsy  he  is  com- 
pelled to  make  love  to.  If  you  do  succeed  in  making 
an  engagement,  I  shall  not  have  one  shadowy  fear  of 
your  histrionic  success,  and  I  shall  really  feel  that  I 
have  done  some  good  in  the  world — a  condition  of  feel- 
ing which  I  have  often  felt  to  be  unattainable.  One 
has  no  business  not  to  do  his  peculiar  work.  I  shall 
always  feel  that  it  was  mine,  and  that  I  wronged  my- 
self in  not  doing  it.  But  I  was  helpless.  I  swam  strong 
seas,  and  was  wrecked  in  peaceful  waters  at  last.  But 
take  care,  my  darling,  that  you  do  not  make  the  same 
mistake.  I  know  that  you  will  be  a  happier  woman, 
and  therefore  a  better  one,  if  you  can  do  the  work 
which  is  in  you. 

When  are  you  coming  home?  We  must  see  much 
of  each  other  this  winter.  We  can  not  afford  to  miss 
that,  I  think.  I  need  you,  and  I  am  sure  you  want 


319 

ma  My  dear,  I  don't  quite  suppose  we  shall  be  able 
to  set  the  world  right,  but  we  may  do  something  toward 
keeping  each  other  right  I  get  dreadfully  tired  and 
discouraged,  and  the  mistakes  of  my  life  well-nigh 
overwhelm  me  at  times ;  and  if  I  can  catch  somebody 
to  preach  to,  I  always  find  myself  wonderfully  im- 
proved ,in  temper  and  cheerfulness.  I  perceive  that 
you  have  a  beautiful  patience,  which  fits  you  to  be  a 
victim,  and  I  dare  say  I  shall  make  you  one.  On  the 
other  hand,  when  other  people  are  worn  out,  I  possess 
the  most  indomitable  patience  and  hope,  so  I  may  help 
you. 

I  hope  you  will  bring  back  health  and  strength  from 
those  far  hills,  and  a  whole  harvest  of  freshness,  to  be 
used  all  winter  as  need  calls.  "With  the  spirit  of  proph- 
ecy strong  upon  me,  I  foretell  that  this  winter  will 
be  a  crisis  to  us  both,  and  I  hope  a  long  season  of  good 
work  in  the  right  direction.  Let  us  weave  our  hopes 
about  the  coming  months,  and  cover  them  with  gar- 
lands of  peace.  I  need  that,  O,  so  much. 

I  must  stop  for  the  charming  interruption  of  correct- 
ing an  endless  proof.  This  worthless  letter  must  go, 
because  I  shall  not  have  time  to  write  another.  Let 
me  hear  very  soon  from  you,  please ;  and  remember 
that,  whether  I  am  so  happy  as  to  come  or  remain  here 
and  await  you, 

I  am  ever  freely  yours, 

i 

LuG.  C . 

Did  you  ask  me  once  what  was  my  name  ?  It  is  the 
pretty  Italian  name,  Lu-ci-a;  but  everbody  mispro- 
nounces it,  so  I  like  the  diminutive  better.  Please 
use  it 


MY  DEAREST  CHILD: 


320 
III. 

77  CLLNTOX  PLACE. 

Saturday,  1st 


Do  3'ou  know  what  is  my  panacea  for  all  my  woes  ? 
Mr.  Richardson.  Nobody  is  half  so  kind  or  unselfish 
as  he,  and  when  I  am  " stuck"  as  the  newsboys  say,  I 
just  tell  him,  and  his  clear  common  sense  and  kind 
heart  always  find  a  way  into  smooth  paths  again. 
Therefore,  if  I  and  he  were  here,  I  should  just  trust 
him  with  the  whole  story,  and  send  him  to  see  Stuart. 
whom  he  knows  very  well.  Alas !  he  left  for  Kansas 
on  Wednesday,  and  my  right  -hand  is  wanting.  So  I 
must  e'en  do  the  next  best  thing.  I  can  not  at  this 
moment  tell  what,  but  my  inspiration  will  come  in  the 
course  of  the  day.  It  always  does.  I  never  met  Stuart 
but  once,  when  he  was  very  courteous.  He  would  not 
remember  me  now,  but  if  it  is  the  best  thing  for  me  to 
go  and  see  him,  I  shall  go.  I  shall  just  find  out  all 
his  ways  from  one  or  two  Bohemians  who  know  him 
intimately,  and  then  visit  him  and  ask  him  to  come 
and  take  luncheon  with  me,  as  will  most  propitiate  his 
lordship.  My  dear,  this  thing  is  going  to  be  done.  I 
know  it  can  be,  and  I  mean  it  shall.  I  shall  set  about 
it  to-day,  and  have  progress  to  report  when  you  come 
back.  Mrs.  Mowatt  is  a  shining  exception  to  Mr. 
Stuart's  theory.  Mr.  Vandenhoff  is  another.  Charlotte 
Cushman  went  on  the  stage  to  sing,  not  to  play.  Made- 
line Henriques,  to  her  admirers,  and  Mrs.  Jennings,  are 
two  more.  But  it  is  for  us  to  establish  precedents,  not 
to  follow  them.  What  did  our  fathers  die  for  else  ? 

Actresses  are  born,  not  made,  and  if  most  of  our  ac- 
tors were  trained  for  the  stage,  it  is  quite  time  we  had 


321 

some  who  were  not  We  may  hope  for  decency,  if  not 
for  genius.  Think  of  that  dreadful  Johnson,  at  Winter 
Garden,  as  one  of  the  trained  school !  Or  indeed,  of  all 
Booth's  support,  for  that  matter.  I  know  that  we  can 
do  this  thing,  and  we  must  Of  course,  you  can  take 
a  feigned  name  for  your  country  engagement,  and  when 
you  are,  announced  here,  they  can  say  "  her  first  ap- 
pearance at  this  theatre."  I  should  do  it,  by  all  means. 
Of  course,  it  is  no  previous  reputation  that  Stuart  wants, 
but  only  the  assurance  that  on  the  stage  you  will  know 
your  right  hand  from  your  left  It  vexes  me  when  he 
has  such  materials  in  use  that  he  should  interpose  ob- 
jections to  better,  but  I  suppose  it  is  necessary. 

Well,  my  darling,  there  is  more  glory  in  plucking 
bright  honor  from  the  pale-faced  moon  than  in  being 
petted  with  sugar  plums  of  ease,  isn't  there  ?  The  very 
effort  will  make  the  fruit  better  worth.  We'll  see  ;  but 
don't  have  one  doubt  of  the  end.  It  is  perseverance 
and  will  that  win  in  the  end,  and  you  have  talent  for 
fifty  actresses  as  at  present  rated.  Your  letter  has  but 
just  come,  and  I  dashed  off  this  sheet  that  you  might 
not  be  kept  waiting.  I'll  write  again  when  I  have  news 
to  tell.  I  want  to  come  to  you  more  than  I  can  tell 
you.  /  want  you,  and  I  am  starving  for  the  living 
bread  of  rocks  and  hills  and  rivers,  but  I  must  e'en 
feed  myself  with  paving  stones,  I  fear.  I  don't  sup- 
pose it  will  be  possible  for  you  to  come.  If  any  kind 
fate  should  bequeath  me  a  lottery  ticket  of  value  in 
the  brief  interim,  I  will  be  with  you  on  that  good  Fri- 
day. I  am  the  scribbling  Sisyphea  whose  rock  rolls 
down  faster  than  she  can  bring  it  up  again.  I  fear  I 
don't  sing  at  the  endless  task  like  my  antetype.  Ah  ! 
well,  life  is  nothing  but  the  use  we  make  of  it,  and  it  is 
better  to  get  false  teeth  for  people  who  need  them  than 
41 


322 

to  gather  apples  of  Olympus  for  one's  self.  What  will 
be  your  Salem  address  ?  Come  to  me  as  soon  as  you 
are  back,  and  let  me  know  the  New  York  number. 
We  must  gather  what  gold  we  can  in  town,  if  the  mul- 
leins and  Aaron's  rods  did  have  to  fall  into  melancholy 
graves  without  the  benediction  of  my  smile.  You  will 
be  very  good  indeed  to  let  me  read  with  you.  I  shall 
enjoy  it  and  profit  by  it  immensely.  My  voice  is  pen- 
etrating when  in  best  condition,  but  strong  only  in  low 
notes,  and  they  are  rusty  now.  What  I  want  is  fulness 
of  tone,  and  I  think  I  can  gain  that  by  diligent  work. 
[  must  stop.  I  hope  you  can  read  this  crooked  scrawl. 
Ever  and  always,  my  beloved,  yours  fully, 

Write  often.  Lu. 


IV. 

77  CLINTON  PLACE, 

Thursday,  April  27. 

Hurrah,  my  darling !  All  my  wheels  are  turning  the 
right  way,  and  the  world  moves.  Mr.  Stuart  has  just 
gone.  He  did  answer  your  second  letter  at  length. 
Booth  was  with  him  when  it  reached  him,  and  he  read 
it  to  that  divine  man,  "  who  feels  interested  in  "  you. 
I  quote  the  words  of  the  Potentate.  And  if  you 
will  play  such  parts  as  Queen,  in  Hamlet,  and  others  at 
lirst,  you  can  have  an  engagement  with  the  miracle  ! 
here ! !  this  winter ! ! !  under  an  assumed  name ! !  ! !  Or 
if  you  don't  want  to  do  that.  Mr.  Stuart  will  give  you 
an  engagement  in  the  country ;  but  I  advise  here  first. 
by  all  means.  My  darling,  I  could  not  be  happier  if  I 
had  discovered  a  gold  mine.  Maybe  we  have.  Think 
of  playing  with  Booth.  I  believe  I  should  die  of  that 


328 

rose  in  aromatic  pain  if  such  a  privilege  were  mine. 
My  dear,  this  is  such  a  good  omen.  Youth,  and  hope, 
and  beauty,  as  poor  Miss  Flite  used  say  ;  but  there  is 
no  sad  moral  in  this  case.  I  hope  this  will  reach  you 
in  Boston,  it  will  comfort  you  so  much ;  but  if  it  does 
not,  it  will  be  only  because  you  will  be  here,  where  I  can 
tell  you  of  all  the  wire-pulling  I  have  done.  I  am  really 
good  for  something,  I  believe,  after  all ;  and  when  you 
succeed  I  shall  felicitate  myself  as  none  other.  I  pray 
you  pardon  this  incoherent  scrawl.  I  am  so  delighted  I 
know  not  how  to  be  consecutive.  In  all  my  prayers 
hereafter,  I  shall  name  W.  Stuart  by  name.  Nobody 
could  be  kinder  than  he,  and  he  wants  you  to  come  and 
see  him  as  soon  as  you  are  here.  "  Such  larks,  Pip  ! '' 
And  Booth  !  he  has  talked  about  you,  and  himself  pro- 
posed to  bring  you  out !  See  Naples  and  then  die  ! 

I  must  stop  to  catch  the  mail  My  darling,  I  put 
two  loving  arms  about  you,  and  gave  you  the  heartiest 
and  hopefulest  blessing  you  ever  had  in  your  life. 
Come  at  once.  If  you  should  come  on  Saturday,  and 
don't  have  time  to  come  and  see  me,  go  to  church,  Mr. 
Frothingham's,  Fortieth  street,  near  Sixth  avenue,  on 
Sunday  morning,  and  sit  with  me,  pew  89,  and  we'll 
talk  it  all  over  afterward. 

Ever  devotedly, 

Lu. 


V. 

MY  DARLING: 


I  suppose  you  must  be  snow-bound,  as  I  am,  and  I 
send  a  good-morning.  Lillie  aud  Junius  pronounced 
your  u  Lucy  Capulet "  better  than  Madame  St  Juliet 
There  is  incense  for  genius.  I  shall  work  all  day,  and 


324 

be  ready  to  help  you  to- morrow.  Sacrifice  yourself  by 
going  to  Hennessy's,  or  in  any  other  way  ! 

My  fate  cries  out,  and  informs  me  that  I  wish  to 
know  him.  Really  to  get  at  him. 

I  am  quite  sure  there  is  something  behind  his  gray 
eyes  and  mobile  face.  I  don't  like  knowing  people  in- 
differently. Husks  are  such  dry  fare.  But  people  with 
cores  and  fruit  within  draw  me  so ;  there  are  j  ust  three 
persons  who  are  much  to  rne  in  the  flesh — J.  R  Y. — 
and  you  can  guess  the  other  two. 

But  my  dream-friends  are  numerous.  Booth  is  one 
of  them.  Spiritually,  he  is  my  intimate.  He  would 
be  amazed  to  see  with  what  I  have  endowed  him,  and 
how  confidential  he  is  with  me.  Do  you  have  such 
whims  ?  My  novel  will  be  a  study  of  psychology,  I 
fancy.  A  strange  story.  The  boy  waits.  I  begin  to 
say  that  I  love  you  dearly — always  shall — always  must. 
That  you  are  heroic  and  high,  and  a  gospel  to  me  who 
need  one.  Some  day,  or  rather  some  night,  I  shall  tell 
you  such  a  story  of  my  turbulent  existence.  I  would 
rather  write  it,  but  I  shall  never  have  time.  Suppose 
I  write  my  novel  in  letters  to  you?  How  much  we 
have  to  say  to  each  other,  that  we  never  shall  utter  till 
the  leisure  of  the  New  Jerusalem  offers  opportunity. 

Ever,  my  darling,  yours, 

Lu. 


VI. 
FRIDAY  MORNING,  Feb.  22, 


MY  DARLING  CHILD. 


What  can  I  say  to  comfort  thee  ?     My  heart  bleeds 
over  thee.  Would  I  could  enfold  thee  forever  more. 


325 

My  darling,  if  it  were  not  for  Percy,  I  should  take  thee 
away  and  keep  tliee  as  soon  as  I  go  home.  I  do  not 
suppose  Mr.  C.  would  let  me  keep  him.  My  precious, 
you  must  make  your  decision.  It  is  profanation  for 
you  to  stay  with  that  man — you  shatt  not  No  woman 
ought  to  put  her  womanhood  to  shame  as  you  have 
been  forced  to  do  for  years.  It  is  most  cruel,  most 
devilish.  You  can  not  work,  you  can  not  advance,  you 
can  make  certain  of  no  future  for  yourself  and  the 
children  while  you  stay.  There  is  no  justice,  no  reason, 
no  hope,  in  your  doing  it  My  darling,  you  will  leave 
him  scathless ;  the  world  is  more  generous  than  we 
think  about  those  things.  Every  thoughful  man  or 
woman  will  justify  you,  and  you  can  shake  off  the 
shackles  and  work  with  free  hands.  It  is  dreadful  to 
have  you  fight  against  such  odds.  I  think  you  could 
live,  yourself  and  Percy,  for  what  you  earn  now  ;  and 
if  you  can  only  be  free  so  that  you  can  improve,  your 
salary  will  be  increased.  It  is  wonderful  that  you  have 
been  able  to  do  anything  with  your  disabilities,  and  I 
do  think  that  now  you  may  do  so  much.  Oh,  do  leave 
him,  my  darling.  It  is  so  wrong  that  you  should  stay 
with  him. 

FRIDAY  EVENING. 
MY  DARLING: 

We  have  just  received  Mr.  R ;s  letter.      I  am  so 

glad  that  you  have  left  M.  ;  do  not,  I  beseech  you,  re- 
turn. Do  not  let  any  weakness  of  mercy  possess  you. 
It  is  happy  that  the  stroke  has  fallen,  no  matter  what, 
heart-break  come  with  it  I  could  be  glad  that  yon 
suffer,  if  your  suffering  would  keep  you  away  from 
him.  My  darling,  for  whom  I  would  die,  do  not  so 
wrong  your  womanhood  as  to  go  back.  You  must  not ; 
shall  not.  When  I  come  back,  you  shall  come  straight 


326 

i<>  me  and  stay.  I  will  have  it  so.  I  will  come  to-mor- 
row, if  you  need  me.  Write  me,  my  darling — all 
things.  Even  if  you  are  distracted,  write.  It  will 
calm  you,  and  help  you.  All  my  heart  flows  to  you. 
I  would  help  you,  guard  you,  heal  you,  if  I  could. 
My  darling,  you  can  not  be  misunderstood.  I,  a  proud 
woman,  tell  you,  that,  only  by  leaving  him  can  you 
justify  yourself  to  yourself,  and  to  the  world  of  noble 
people.  My  darling,  my  money  and  purse  and  grief 
are  yours  forever.  You  will  not  hesitate  to  come  to 
me,  for  you  love  me.  This  is  a  poor  note,  I  have  had 
to  scrawl  in  pencil.  What  I  have  not  had  time  to  say 
in  ink :  to-morrow,  when,  if  you  are  better,  I  shall 
write  you  a  better  letter.  All  my  heart  is  yours.  Let 
Mr.  R —  -  help  you.  He  is  good  and  strong.  Stay 
where  you  are  till  I  come.  Then  come  to  me.  My 
darling.  I  love  you  and  sorrow  for  you. 

Thine  ever, 

Lu. 


VII. 

MRS.  SAMUEL  SINCLAIR  TO  MRS.  MCFARLAND. 

WASHINGTON,  Feb.  21. 
MY  DEAREST  FRIEND: 

Mrs.  C.  read  your  letter  to  me  this  morning,  and  I 
am  almost  heart-broken  for  you.  My  dear,  what  are 
you  going  to  do?  Whatever  you  decide  upon,  of  course, 
your  friends — your  true  friends — will  accept.  But  I  do 
hope  you  will  act  with  firmness  and  decision.  It  seems 
to  me  that  one  great  effort  is  only  a  question  of  time, 
and  the  sooner  it  is  made  the  better,  for  you  and  your 
children.  Do  not  for  one  moment  longer  entertain  that 


327 

morbid  idea  that  you  are  responsible  for  the  life  of  one 
who  is  sure  to  break  you  down  completely,  and  ruin, 
perhaps,  your  children,  if  they  continue  to  live  with 
liim.  It  will  kill  you  to  live  this  way,  and  you  must 
not  do  it.  Those  dear  little  boys  must  be  taken  care 
of,  and  who  can  do  it  but  their  own  dear  mother  ? 

My  dear  Abby,  I  love  you  like  a  sister,  or  I  should 
not  write  this.  Anything  that  I  can  do  for  you,  I  will 
cheerfully.  Do  not  despair.  You  have  health,  youth, 
and  good  friends,  and  all  your  friends,  without  an  ex- 
ception, will  support  you.  I  have  no  doubt  of  your 
success  on  the  stage,  but  should  you  find  that  too  try- 
ing for  your  health,  you  can  do  equally  well  by  writ- 
ing. I  think  you  are  very  modest  in  your  own  estima- 
tion. I  think  you  write  better  than  almost  any  one  I 
know  ;  and  should  you  give  your  time  to  it,  I  have  no 
doubt  of  your  exceeding  any  American  female  writer 
in  a  short  time. 

I  must  suggest  one  thing,  and  that  is  to  get  Percy 
away  from  his  father  as  soon  as  possible.  You  know 
Percy  now  believes  in  him,  and  the  longer  he  remains 
with  him  the  more  intensified  will  this  feeling  become, 
and,  of  course,  the  longer  it  will  take  to  erase  it 

It  seems  a  long  time  since  I  left  }rou,  and  I  am  quite 
ashamed  of  not  having  written  before,  but  our  time  has 
been  wonderfully  filled  with  Washington  gayety,  and 
I  am  very  apt,  as  you  know,  to  neglect  writing  to  my 
friends  when  I  feel  certain  all  is  well.  I  have  not  been 
jealous,  although  you  have  written  to  Mrs.  C.  several 
times.  I  love  her  too  much  not  to  be  willing  to  give 
her  more  than  half  of  what  I  would  receive.  Is  she 
not  good  and  charming  ?  How  is  dear  little  Danny  ? 
I  wish  he  could  come  to  Mary's  birthday — the  9th  of 
March.  You  must  come,  and  bring  Percy.  We  may 


328 

not  be  home  before  the  8th.  but  I  don't  dare  write  that 
home.  Remember,  that  Fear  is  your  friend.  I  hope 
you  will  not  neglect  her  in  my  absence.  Now,  my 
darling,  do  write  soon.  I  shall  hope  for  something 
definite. 

Your  devoted  friend, 

C.  A.  S. 


CHAPTER  LTX. 

AN    ALLEGORY — FROM    THE    HEIGHTS    OF   MORALITY  TO   THE 
ROCKS  OF  DEATH. 

Under  the  title  of  a  few  moral  reflections,  there  ap- 
peared a  short  time  ago  in  a  journal  devoted  to  witti- 
cism and  caricaturing,  a  faithful  delineation  of  the  lev- 
ity and  disregard  for  the  sanctity  of  the  marriage  rela- 
tion, and  its  moral  obligations ;  and  portrayed,  by  wood- 
cut representation,  a  sage  philosopher,  the  editor  of  a 
prominent  city  paper,  and  an  eminent  New  England 
divine,  coming  down  from  the  "heights  of  morality," 
arm  in  arm,  to  participate  in  an  unholy  banquet, 
and  through  their  pernicious  teachings  and  unholy  ex- 
ample, leading  souls  from  the  pinnacle  of  morality  to 
the  degrading  depths  of  sin  and  ruin.  It  was  a  truth- 
ful reflex  of  the  results  of  a  melancholy  and  tragic  oc- 
currence, that  occupied  the  courts  of  law  for  a  period 
so  long,  that  it  has  had  no  parallel  in  the  annals  of  crim- 
inal investigation  in  this  country. 

The  allegory  gives  the  picture  a  truthful  outline  of 
the  consequences  resulting  from  heterodox  theories, 
and  teaches  an  excellent  lesson  from  which  they  may 

derive  a  moral — thus : 
42 


330 
L 

A   FEW   REFLECTIONS. 

"The  world  is  full  of  change.  Human  nature,  ever 
restless,  seeks  to  sway  the  mind  with  strange  theories 
and  doctrines.  The  human  mind,  often  weak  and  ever 
fallible,  is  prone  to  fall  victim  to  specious  reasoning. 

"  And  in  the  vision  which  shall  be  here  described, 
we  have  the  restless  and  the  fallible,  the  tempter  and 
the  tempted,  the  victor  and  the  fallen.  In  the  fore- 
ground, there  is  the  ignis  fatuus;  in  the  rear,  follow- 
ing, the  hapless  victims  of  a  dread  hallucination. 

"  Where  is  there  perfect  felicity  on  earth  ?  Man, 
dissatisfied  with  what  has  been  since  the  creation  of  the 
world,  rebels  against  the  eternal  law  which  makes  him 
taste  the  cup  of  bitterness.  Woman,  the  reflex  of  man, 
shares  in  his  perturbation  of  spirit. 

" '  Not  all  men  and  not  all  women,  thank  Heaven, 
seek  happiness  at  the  cost  of  morality.  At  present, 
the  great  majority  of  mortals  accept  the  lights  and 
shadows  of  life  unmurmuringly,  preferring  them  as 
they  are,  to  the  fatal  brilliancy  of  uncontrolled  desire. 

" '  For  from  the  yearning  of  the  few  for  unceasing 
felicity  on  earth,  it  came  about  that  Love,  the  holiest, 
the  purest,  and  the  noblest  of  all  passions,  was  made 
to  serve  as  the  screen  for  license.  And  it  was  the  pros 
titution  of  a  sacred  element,  which  formed  the  subject 
of  the  vision,  making  the  description  less  a  satire  than 
a  sad  reality  surrounding  us.' 

•'  Thus  spake  the  Seer,  in  slow  and  measured  accents, 
preliminary  to  telling  of  the  vision  which  he  saw  in 
years  gone  by.  And  there  was  an  earnestness  in  his 
voice,  which  gave  to  his  words  a  wisdom  they  may  not, 
to  the  careless  reader,  seem  endowed  with." 


331 
II. 

FIRST   PART   OF   THE    SEER'S    VISION. 

"  The  old  man  stroked  his  silvery  beard  and  began : 

"  '  I  stood  upon  the  heights  held  sacred  as  the  home 
of  purity,  and  I  saw  men  and  women  around  me,  pa- 
tiently* submitting  to  the  sorrows,  and  thankfully  par- 
taking of  the  joys,  of  earthly  existence.  And  the  Man 
and  the  Woman  were  one.  Both  were  full  of  faults — 
both  full  of  sin ;  yet  the  one  bore  with  the  failings  of 
the  other,  for  each  felt  and  admitted  that  hatred  aggra- 
vates sin,  and  sin  breeds  death. 

" '  On  all  sides  about  me,  were  contentment,  submis- 
sion, and  resignation.  Virtue  upheld  love ;  love  con- 
quered discord.  There  was  no  paradise,  but  there  was 
all  of  happiness  to  make  life  sweet 

"'From  the  midst  of  all  this  placid  morality,  I 
thought  there  suddenly  came  the  murmur  of  disorder. 
On  the  top  of  the  height,  near  unto  me,  had  been  a 
man  and  a  woman,  with  hands  linked  together  and 
hearts  joined.  Each  had  sworn  to  love  and  cherish  the 
other  while  life  lasted,  and,  perhaps,  it  was  that  both 
had  endeavored  to  faithfully  perform  their  vows.  The 
woman,  she  was  beautiful,  and  the  man,  he  was  poor. 
Wherefore,  it  was  that  the  tempter  came,  and  whis- 
pered, that  Beauty  dwelt  ill  with  Poverty.  She  listened, 
half  indignant  at  first ;  then,  as  the  fiend  painted  a  pic- 
ture of  the  joys  which  Beauty  could  possess  if  it 
chose  to  cast  aside  restraints,  the  woman  next  listened, 
and  at  last  approved.  As  the  poet  says : 

*'  Vice  is  a  monster  of  so  frightful  mien 
As  to  be  hated  needs  but  to  be  seen  ; 
But  seen  too  oft,  familiar  with  her  face, 
We  first  endure,  then  pity,  then  embrace." 


332 

"  '  And  thus  I  thought  that  in  the  vision  the  woman 
smiled  upon  the  fiend,  then  loosened  her  hand  from  the 
grasp  of  him  who  was  her  husband,  and,  with  her  love 
turned  to  disgust,  snapped  the  bonds  asunder  which 
bound  their  hearts  together.  He,  with  a  pleading  face, 
knelt  before  her,  upraising  his  arms  to  Heaven,  and 
calling  upon  her  not  to  forsake  him.  Again  she  hesi- 
tated, trembling  like  the  glacier  on  the  Alpine  moun- 
tain ;  but  the  fiend  once  more  whispered  in  her  ears, 
pointing  with  his  finger  to  the  distance. 

"  '  Behold  ! '  he  said.  '  Behold  the  light  that  beckons 
you  on  to  where  alone  the  happiness  of  luxury  and  the 
luxury  of  happiness  are  enjoyed  forevermore.' 

" '  Then,  with  a  scornful  gesture,  the  woman  tiirned 
from  him  who  was  her  husband.  But  once  more 
he  clung  to  her,  pleading  for  her  to  stay  with  him. 
And  he  held  their  children  before  her,  and  in  their 
names  bade  her  to  obey  the  oath  she  had  taken  to 
cleave  to  him  so  long  as  life  lasted.  Still,  she  was  ob 
durate ;  and  again  she  cast  him  from  her  with  a  scorn- 
ful gesture. 

" '  And  the  fiend  held  out  his  hand  and  she  took  it. 
The  flame  of  desire  was  in  his  eye,  and  it  seared  and 
blackened  all  that  was  virtuous  within  her.  For 
though,  perchance,  she  was  yet  pure  in  body,  her  mind 
had  become  dark  with  corruption.  The  insidious  poi- 
son of  libertinism  had  coursed  through  her  veins,  and 
she  was  as  one  lost  to  purity. 

"  '  Hand  in  hand,  the  twain  walked  down  the  heights 
of  morality  to  the  river,  whose  waters  were  divided 
and  distinct.  On  one  side,  they  flowed  light  and  clear 
and  beautiful,  their  silver  ripples  dancing  in  the  sun- 
light to  the  murmur  of  their  own  music.  On  the  other 
side,  they  were  as  black  as  the  silence  of  the  dead — 


333 

sluggish,  flowing  with  a  low  moan.  But  beyond  the 
ignis  fatuus,  hovered  its  single  light,  imparting  to  the 
distance  beyond  the  space  of  darkness,  a  beauty  inde- 
scribable. 

'' '  As  the  twain  stood  on  the  brink  of  the  river,  pre- 
paring to  cross  over,  he,  that  was  the  husband  of  the 
womaii,  rushed  down  to  where  they  stood,  and  made  a 
last  appeal. 

"  '  Mine,  by  right'  he  cried.  '  Mine,  by  love !  ' 
"  '  Love ! '  she  answered,  scornfully.     '  Love  is  free  ! 
Hearts  beat  in  unison.     Thoughts  blend  in  thoughts. 
There  is  no  echo  in  my  heart  for  you.     My  thoughts 
and  yours  are  wide  apart' 

"  '  And  I  thought  the  fiend  smiled,  and  said :  '  Coma' 

'' '  They  entered  the  waters  together,  and  I  watched 

them  pass  hurriedly   through  the  silver  waves,  until 

they  reached  the  black  and  sluggish  stream,  when  both 

were  lost  to  view. 

'"The  man  stood  gazing  at  them  for  an  instant 
Over  his  features  there  passed  a  spasm  of  unutterable 
agony.  For  awhile,  he  stood  irresolute,  as  if  bewil- 
dered by  what  had  transpired.  At  length,  with  a  shrill 
cry  of  anguish,  he  plunged  into  the  river,  following  the 
woman  and  her  tempter.  I  saw  him  pass  through  the 
clear  waters,  and  heard  his  last  cry  of  woe,  as  he 
plunged  into  the  black  waters  and  faded  from  sight' " 


III. 


SECOND    PART    OF    THE    SEERS   VISION. 

"  The  ancient  Seer  paused  for  a  brief  moment  He 
buried  his  venerable  head  in  his  hands,  seeming  as  if 
he  desired  to  recall  to  memory  the  scenes  which,  in  the 


334 

vision,  followed  the  passage  of  the  river  by  the  three 
beings  who  had  so  strangely  broken  the  peace  which 
had  reigned  npon  the  Heights  of  Morality. 

"  The  Seer  spoke  again : 

"  '  In  wonderment  and  grief,  I  sat  pondering  over 
what  had  taken  place.  Ever  and  anon,  I  gazed  across 
the  river,  and  endeavored  to  peer  through  the  hollow  ; 
but  the  vast  nothingness  of  space,  with  the  single  light 
of  the  ignis  fatuus  in  the  centre,  emitting  its  strangely 
penetrating  rays,  and  beckoning  on  the  weak  and  the 
wavering. 

"  '  Sadly,  I  was  about  to  turn  away,  when,  suddenly, 
the  entire  horizon  was  illuminated  by  a  soft  melodious 
light,  which  penetrated  every  inch  of  earth  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach.  From  the  heights,  I  saw,  with 
startling  distinctness,  every  drop  of  the  black  waters — 
now  no  longer  black,  for  they  were  of  a  bright  crimson 
hue,  and  seemed  as  blood. 

" '  For  a  long  distance  from  the  bank,  was  a  vast 
swamp,  which  ended  only  where  large  rocks  upreared 
their  jagged  heads — rocks  whose  many  points  were 
dyed  with  the  blood  which  had  flowed  from  the  bruised 
and  torn  feet  of  many  pilgrims. 

"  '  And  in  the  midst  of  this  vast  swamp,  I  saw  men 
and  women  struggling  toward  the  rocks.  Upon  the 
slimy  substance,  in  shining  letters,  were  such  words  as 
'  Murder,'  Adultery,'  and  '  Homes  Desolate.' 

" '  I  thought  I  sought  out  amidst  the  struggling  mass 
of  human  beings  for  those  who  had  but  a  while  agone 
crossed  the  river,  following  whither  the  ignis  fatuus 
led.  And  I  saw  the  tempter  lying  cold  and  dead  at 
the  feet  of  the  man  whom  he  had  wronged.  The  wo- 
man, having  sunk  in  the  mire  of  her  own  iniquity, 


335 

wore  a  face  of  despair.  For  her,  there  was  never  more 
of  peace  and  happiness. 

"  '  I  looked  again,  and  up  the  rocks  there  toiled  many 
pilgrims,  led  on  by  the  strange  fascination  which  had 
made  them  blind  to  all  save  a  promise  of  something 
grand,  yet  undefined,  which  had  made  them  give  up 
the  certainty  of  life,  with  its  clouds  and  sunshine,  for 
the  chance  of — what  ?  A  dream,  a  fancy. 

" '  Looking  again,  I  saw  from  behind  the  rocks  the 
lurid  glare  of  fire,  and  into  this  fell  men  and  women, 
blind  to  their  danger  ere  it  was  too  late  to  stay  the  fatal 
fall.  Theirs  was  the  sin ;  the  rocks  they  traversed 
were  the  rocks  of  Death,  and  the  price  of  sin  is  Death.'" 


IV. 


END    OF   THE    VISION. 

"  The  old  Seer  continued  : 

"  '  The  deep  silence  which  had  reigned  while  I  beheld 
all  these  things,  was  broken  by  a  voice.  Turning  to- 
ward the  point  from  which  it  came,  I  saw  an  angel 
hovering  over  the  Heights  of  Morality.  Her  face  was 
directed  toward  the  sin-encompassed  pilgrims,  but  the 
features  were  hidden  from  view  by  her  hands,  as  if  from 
very  grief  she  had  concealed  them. 

" '  And  the  words  that  she  uttered,  were  those  thun- 
dered to  the  world  by  the  Great  Unseen,  through  the 
prophet  on  the  Mount — words,  which,  in  every  part  of 
the  globe,  are  numbered  among  the  great  mandates  of 
Omnipotence. 

"  '  They  were  these : 

'  "  '  THOU    SHALT   NOT   COMMIT   ADULTERY. 
"  'THOU    SHALT   NOT   COVET  THY  NEIGHBOR'S  WIFE. 


336 

"  '  The  vision  faded  from  sight,  but  it  left  an  impress 
upon  my  memory  which  shall  remain  forevermore.' 

"  The  old  Seer  arose,  and  departed,  and  we  gazed 
the  one  upon  the  other,  feeling  that  his  was  not  the  lan- 
guage of  cynicism,  nor  the  words  of  satire ;  but  that 
his  vision  was  but  the  reflex  of  this  world's  sin,  and  of 
sin's  consequence." 

The  reader  can  not  have  failed  to  discover  in  the 
above  allegorical  ideal,  the  names  of  the  principal  actors 
in  the  great  tragedy  of  the  "  period."  The  only  tempt- 
er, however,  which  the  "  Seer "  could  discern  in  his 
vision,  was  man,  sinful  man. 


AUTHOE'S  VALEDICTORY. 


The  author  has  now  arrived  at  that  critical  period  of 
his  literary  effort,  in  which  no  little  anxiety  is  felt  for 
the  result  of  a  labor  hastily  performed,  and  at  such  in- 
tervals of  time  as  could  be  spared  from  the  ordinary 
routine  of  business  occupation  ;  nor  has  this  volume  been 
submitted  to  the  public  without  due  consideration  of 
the  construction  that  may  be  placed  upon  it  by  the  crit- 
ical reviewers  of  the  press,  or  the  characters  introduced 
under  assumed  names.  To  the  former,  I  would  respect- 
fully say,  in  kindness,  deal  with  it  as  its  merit  or  demerit 
deserves ;  from  the  latter,  I  have  no  favors  to  ask,  and 
none  to  expect ;  to  them  I  would  also  say,  if  the  chapeau 
is  appropriate,  and  fits,  by  all  means,  wear  it :  but  if  its 
shape  and  form  has  become  so  conspicuous  to  the  pub- 
lic eye  that  it  is  so  easily  recognized  by  the  casual  ob- 
server, assume  one  that  will  have  for  its  character  three 
essential  qualities :  firstly,  modesty  in  its  exterior ;  sec- 
ondly, a  due  regard  for  the  moral  influence  it  may  exert 
on  society  :  and  lastly,  to  crown  the  intellect  with  the 

ornament  of  virtue,  that  will  confer  not  only  a  lasting 
43 


338 

benefit  to  the  wearer,  but  offer  an  example  for  good  to 
the  communities  in  which  they  mingle,  and  to  whom 
they  owe  a  proper  regard  for  all  things  that  will  improve 
the  tone  and  morality  of  the  sphere  in  which  they  move. 
The  enlightenment  of  the  age  in  which  we  live,  and 
in  a  country  like  ours,  budding  into  vigorous  prosperity 
and  wealth,  surrounded  with  untold  advantages  and 
blessings,  we  are  the  observed  of  all  observers,  and  we 
should  prove  to  our  transatlantic  cousins  that  we  are 
advancing  so  far  in  the  scale  of  civilization  that  we  are 
forgetting  the  vices  and  follies  of  the  countries  from 
which  they  sprung.  But  the  author  has  some  apology 
to  make  to  the  general  reader  and  the  public,  for  ex- 
hausting their  patience  in  the  perusal  of  a  subject  in 
which,  in  expressing  his  views,  he  may  have  unwit- 
tingly caused  some  to  blush;  but  they  may  take  into 
consideration  that  it  is  best  to  give  the  unpleasant  sam- 
ples (a  tithe  only  of  what  the  author  has  in  his  posses- 
sion), the  light  of  truth,  however  unpleasant  they  may 
seem,  and  to  offer  a  part  of  such  as  he  has  collated  in 
his  observance  of  vice,  error,  and  criminal  guilt ;  from 
which,  it  is  hoped,  a  moral  lesson  may  be  derived,  in 
exposing  them ;  and  he  can  consistently  use  the  poet's 
thoughts,  and  say : 

"  These  samples — for  alas  !  at  last 
These  are  but  samples,  and  a  taste 

Of  evils  yet  unmentioned — 
May  prove  the  task  a  task  indeed, 
In  which  'tis  much  if  he  succeed, 
However  well  intentioucd," 


339 

The  subject  might  have  been  written  by  some  more 
gifted  pen,  that  could  have  lent  the  charms  of  imagery 
and  embellishment  to  the  scenes  and  incidents ;  but 
when  it  is  considered  that  it  will  be  read  by  some  who 
prefer  the  attractions  of  a  "  Personal  "  and  its  vicious 
allurements,  to  a  more  refined  idea  of  moral  sentiment, 
it  may  not  have  been  out  of  place  in  the  author  to 
assume  a  role  where  criticism  may  be  freely  employed, 
for  using  the  plainest  language  to  convey  a  moral — 
and  if  others  more  competent  assume  the  task  where  I 
have  left  off,  let  them  not  follow,  like 

"  Philosophers,  who  darken  and  put  out 
Eternal  truth  by  everlasting  doubt ; 
Church  quacks,  with  passions  under  no  command, 
Who  fill  the  world  with  doctrines  contraband  ; 
Discoverers  of  they  know  not  what,  confined 
Within  no  bounds — the  blind  that  lead  the  blind  ; 
To  streams  of  popular  opinion  drawn, 
Deposit  in  those  shallows  all  their  spawn  ; 
The  wrig-gling  fry  soon  fill  the  creeks  around, 
Poisoning  the  waters  where  their  swarms  abound." 


I  1ST  D  E  X  . 


CHAPTER  I. 

PA6E. 

The  New  York  Post-office — The  Scenes  Presented  there 
daily — The  American  Golgotha — Bones  and  Billet 
Doux.  11 

CHAPTER  II 

An  Incident  at  the  Wicket — Finding  a  Love  Letter — Jual 

Amegio's  Advertisement  in  the  Herald.  15 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Author's  Appeal   tor  Interchange  of  Thought— -Miss 

Lottie  E.  LaTrobe — Whispers  from  the  Catskills,  19 

CHAPTER  IV. 
A  Vindication  and  Reproval — Duties  of  Wives  and  Husbands,    25 

CHAPTER  V 

Love's  Rambles  Among  the  Catskills — A  Meeting  by  Ap- 
pointment— My  First  Lesson  in  Deception,  27 

CHAPTER  VI. 

First  Fruits  of  my  Personal — A  Singular  Response  from  a 

Merchant  Millionaire,  31 


11 

CHAPTER  VII. 

PACK. 
Arthur  Tinsley  Strangeways  at  Home — Striking  a  Bargain 

— Throwing  "  Stewed  Prunes  "  upon  the  Market,     -      34 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Interview  with  Miss  Clothilde  Hamilton  in  Strangeways' 
Parlor — The  "  Prunes  "  that  had  a  Price — Gradual 
Approaches,  - 40 

CHAPTER  IX. 

At  Niblo's  by  Gaslight— Forrest's  Othello— Clothilde's 
Emotions — Scenes  in  her  own  Life  Depicted — Her 
Criticisms,  ---....  47 

CHAPTER  X. 

Mrs.  Arabella  Groves  at  Home — Her  Tea  Party — A  Little  of 

her  History,         -------  50 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Mrs.  Groves'  Household—  A  Review  of  Family  History- 
She  Details  Clothilde's  Life-trials  and  Joys,  -  55 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Squire  Gregory  Groves,  of  Ballyrowan  House — Emigrates 
to  New  York  at  Strangeways'  Solicitation — Lost  at 
Sea — The  Widow  and  Clothilde  saved,  64 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

A  Startling  Secret — The  Strange  Ways  of  a  Guardian — 
Clothilde  in  Peril — Fall  and  Remorse — Palming  his 
Wares  upon  Others — A  Lady  Physician — A  Bargain 
— Married  at  Last  —The  Merchant  Millionaire's  Vil- 
lainy Complete,  69 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Lottie  E.  LaTrobe  asks  a  further  Acquaintance — A  Moon- 
light Trip  up  the  Hudson — An  Unwelcome  Interrup- 
tion and  Unlooked-for  Confession — Attempted  Sui- 
cide and  Rescue,  -  ...  73 


Ill 

CHAPTER  XV. 

PACK. 

Seeking  a  New  Meeting — Her  Search  for  J.  H.  Davenport 
— Discovered — Death  of  Lottie's  Husband — Her  De- 
clarations in  Washington  Park — Our  Final  Separa 
tion,  ---------  82 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Science  of  Letter  Writing — Miss  Sadie  Mahone's  Life 
in  a  Fashionable  Boarding-house — Music  and  Matri- 
mony— Sadie's  Disappointment,  ...  g? 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

A  Voice  from  the  East — Fannie  Livingstone  as  a  Corre- 
spondent— A  Lengthy  Correspondence  between  Fan- 
nie and  the  Author — Mrs.  Ayers  of  Schermerhorn 
Street,  Brooklyn,  -  92 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Brooklyn  Curiosities — Its  Churches  and  Parsons — Nor- 
wood's Pulpit  Declamations  to  the  Shoddy — At 
Home  with  Fannie  in  Schermerhorn  Street — Happy 
Marriage — Madame  Lyon's  Matrimonial  Bureau,  -  99 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

A  Nurse  Wanted — Snares  for  the  Innocent — Miss  Florence 

Petite  in  the  Lion's  Jaws,        -----     108 

CHAPTER  XX. 

A  Vailed  Lady's  Visit  to  an  Inspector  of  Police — A  Mother's 

Tears  and  Fears,         -  112 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

The  Railroad  to  Ruin — The  Villain  Unmasks  Himself—- 
Florence Rescued  for  a  Fate  Equally  as  Wretched — 
The  Beautiful  Lobbyist  of  the  Capital,  .-  -  115 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Mrs.  Lillie  Singleton — Life  Trials — In  Search  of  Employ- 
ment— Deceived  and  Disheartened,  ...  119 


IV 

v 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

PJMJK. 

A  Woman's  Story — Marrying  in  Haste  to  Repent  at  Leisure,  121 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

In  a  Villain's  Toils — Fallen — Deserted — A  Penitent  Seeking 

Rest  in  the  Blue  Waters,  .  125 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

An  Assignation  Post-office — Illicit  Correspondence — The 
Spy  System — Black-mailing  Faithless  Wives — The 
Amours  of  a  Legal  Light  end  a  Merchant's  Wife,  132 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

The  Bank  Clerk  and  Broker's  Wife — Racy  Correspondence — 
Visiting  the  Poor — Grace  Church  in  the  Foreground 
— Assignation  Houses  in  Prospective,  136 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

The  Amorous  Epistles  of  a  Judge — Mrs.  Cornelia  W.,  the 
Doctor's  Wife — A  Divorce  Court — Afternoon  Visits 
to  Supper-rooms,  139 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

A  Lawyer's  Narrative — Temptations  of  Hotel  Life — Mattie 
Sheldon — Hon.  William  G.  Farclough  Defeated — A 
Night  in  the  Bath,  146 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A  Personal — Deep  Laid  Plots— Mattie  Caged — Blind  Justice 

— The  Tombs  and  the  Penitentiary,  151 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

The  Pernicious  Education  of  School-girls — The  Social  Evil 

in  Pantalets — A  Startling  State  of  Things,  155 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Fannie  Marvin,  the  School-girl — A  Fifth  Avenue  Educa- 
tional Institution — Exchange  of  Smiles — A  Gam- 
bler's Conquest,  .....  159 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

PAGE. 

Mr.  Marvin  in  Search  of  Information — An  Elopement — A 
Father's  Grief — Deserted  in  New  Orleans — Over  the 
River  with  the  Boatman  Pale,  163 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

An  Opinion  that  Deserves  Consideration — An  Anti-woman's 

Rights  Old  Bachelor  on  the  Laws  of  Marriage,  169 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Marriage  of  Divorcees— -The  Moral  and  Civil  Laws  which 
Regulate  the  Marital  Tie — A  Scrap  of  History  from 
the  "  Herald  "  Copied  from  Another  Moralist — The 
Story  of  General  Jackson  and  Mrs.  Robards.  -  172 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Extract  from  the  "  Herald  " — That  Journal  as  a  Moralist — 
Affinity  Versus  Matrimony — Another  Illustration  of 
the  Great  Social  Struggle — How  an  Unfaithful  Wife 
was  Overtaken  by  Justice,  181 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Sabbath  Moralizing  of  the  "  World  "—Social  Studies— A 

Fortune-teller.  186 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

A  Chapter  on  the  New  York  Press — Paper  Warfare— The 
"  World  "  on  Public  Decency— The  "  Tribune  "  as  a 
Moralist — A  Slight  Digression  to  Elucidate  a  Point,  192 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

The    Holocaust    of    Beauty — Personal    Affinity — Innocent 

Flirtations — Two  Pretty  Maidens,  195 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Life  in  Streets  and  Stages — More  Personals — Emissaries  of 

Hades — Assignation  Advertisements,        -  -       204 

44 


VI 

CHAPTER  XL 

PAOK. 

Advertisement  by  Street  and  Number  of  Houses  of  Ill- 
repute — The  Sequel — Relief  for  Ladies  in  Trouble — 
Gamblers,  &c — The  Limbo  of  Libertines,  -  211 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

Fun,   Love,   and  Possible  Matrimony — A   Beautiful   Bust 

Guaranteed  for  Ten  Cents — A  Retrospect,  216 

CHAPTER  XLII. 
The  Social  Evil  of  To-day — Introductory  Remarks,  220 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

The  Evil  in  New  York — Statistics  and  Facts  for  the  Legis- 
lature, 225 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Causes  of  the  Social  Evil — A  Practical  View — Classes  of 

Women — Classes  of  Men — Localities,  230 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Reformatory — Midnight    Mission — A    Letter   from   a    Re- 
formed   One — Work    by  Religious    Societies — The  . 
Remedy,  23.1 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

Debauchery  in  Paris  and  European  Cities — Parisian  Society 
—The  Bad  Influence  of  the  French  System — London 
—To  Be  or  not  to  Be,  23* 

CHAPTER   XLV1I. 

Decoy  Shops — Account  of  the  Segar  Store  Bagnios — Ladies' 
Opinions — The  Working  Girls — Boarding-houses — 
Practical  Thoughts,  245 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

A  Modern  King  Henry — Jay  Howard  Livingstone  and  his 
Six  Wives — Running  Extracts  from  a  Beau  of  Leis- 
ure— His  Immovable  Cheek  and  Breadth  of  Brain,  253 


I 

vii 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

PAOK. 
A  Modern  King  Henry  Continued — His  Life  Sketch  — •'  Sun 

day  Mercury  "  Personals,  858 

CHAPTER  L. 

Matrimonial  and  Personal  Bureaus — Their  History — Im- 
ported Infamies — The  Managers,  Staff,  and  Rooms,  366 

CHAPTER  LI. 

Wesley  H.  Courtney  in  Search  of  Information— A  Visit  to 

Madame  H. — An  Interesting  Interview.  272 

CHAPTER  LII. 

Laura  de  Curdock — A  Meeting  by  Appointment — Madame 
H.'s  Parlor — Incidents  of  the  Visit — A  Member  of 
the  Stock  Exchange,  276 

CHAPTER  LJII. 

A  Letter  from  Richmond — At  the  Opera — Laura  Exposed — 

Negotiations  Ended — Scene  at  Ponchon's,    .  -  283 

CHAPTER  LIV. 

The  "  Ancient  Maiden"  Juliet  in  Search  of  a  Husband — 
Her  Gushing  Epistles  to  Wesley  H.  Courtney — Per- 
tinent Questions — The  French  Governess — Madame 
Vere's  Personal  Bureau.  28  fl 

CHAPTER  LV. 

Madame  Vere's  Office — A  Night  Visit — Courtney  Disap- 
pointed— Epistolary  Negotiations — A  Meeting — 
Walks,  Talks,  and  Rambles — Delicate  Question  An- 
swered— Courtney's  Farewell  Letter  to  the  Maiden.  294 

CHAPTER  LVI. 

The  Temptations  of  Boarding-schools — Mariana  Graves — 
A  Life  Blasted — A  *'  Waverly  "  Personal — Harvey 
Glyndon — Mock  Marriage  and  Desertion — Love 
Turned  to  Hate,  301 


Vlll 

CHAPTER  LVII. 

PACK. 

Julia  Livermore  in  a  New  Role — The  Attractions  of  Crino- 
line Laid  Aside  for  the  Freedom  of  Tight-fitting 
Broadcloth — Arrest  of  a  Woman  in  Man's  Attire — 
Her  Career  at  the  Watering  Places  and  in  New  York 
— Four  Years  in  Borrowed  Costume — Female  Flirta- 
tions with  Women,  -  306 

CHAPTER  LVIII. 

The  Calhoun  Letters — Complete  Series  of  the  Interesting 
Epistles  of  Mrs.  Lu  G.  Calhouu  to  Mrs.  McFarland 
— Letter  of  Mrs.  Sinclair,  311 

CHAPTER  LIX. 

An  Allegory — From  the  Heights  of  Morality  to  the  Rocks 

of  Death,       --------     329 


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